TOXOPLASMA GONDII ANTIBODIES IN EXOTIC WILD FELIDS FROM BRAZILIAN ZOOS

• Main Authors: Jean Carlos R. Silva, Saemi Ogassawara, Maria Fernanda V. Marvulo, J. S. Ferreira-Neto, J. P. Dubey
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: American Association of Zoo Veterinarians 2001
• Subjects: Lynx; Lynx lynx lynx
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1638/1042-7260(2001)032[0349:TGAIEW]2.0.CO;2

Serum samples from 37 captive exotic felids in 12 zoos from six Brazilian states were assayed for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by the modified agglutination test using formalin-fixed whole tachyzoites. Titers greater than or equal to 1:20 were considered positive. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 24 of 37 (64.9%) felids, including one European lynx (Lynx lynx), two jungle cats (Felis chaus), two servals (Leptailurus serval), two tigers (Panthera tigris), three leopards (Panthera pardus), and 14 of 27 lions (Panthera leo). This is the first serologic analysis for T. gondii infection in exotic wild felids from Brazilian zoos.