Toxoplasmosis in naturally infected deer from Brazil

J Wildl Dis. 1997 Oct;33(4):896-9. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-33.4.896.

Abstract

Serum samples from 107 cervids were examined for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using indirect hemagglutination (IHA), indirect immunofluorescence (IFA), enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Dot-ELISA. Samples were obtained from 66 marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) in the State of São Paulo (Brazil) and from 41 pampas deer (Ozotocerus bezoarticus) in the State of Goiás (Brazil). Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 23 (22%) of the deer, with 18 and 5 positive samples, respectively, for B. dichotomus and O. bezoarticus. The highest prevalence of T. gondii antibodies were young adults (32%), following by adults (27%) and fawns (13%). Only one serum sample (8%) from a newborn fawn was positive in the serological tests. The convenience of the Dot-ELISA test is obvious when compared with other serological tests for both laboratory or field surveys, mainly due to its features of practicability and reagent stability.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Distribution
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Animals, Wild
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Deer / parasitology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / veterinary
  • Hemagglutination Tests / veterinary
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Toxoplasma / immunology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / epidemiology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan