Toxoplasma gondii infection in Brazilian domestic outpatient cats

• Main Authors: Sílvia Regina Ricci LUCAS, Mitika Kuribayashi HAGIWARA, Valéria de Souza LOUREIRO, Júlia Yuzuki Habu IKESAKI, Eduardo Harry BIRGEL
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo (USP) 1999
• Subjects: Toxoplasmosis; Feline toxoplasmosis; Cats; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/ed3b90482ffc4b828be7429c4c6560f3

The occurrence of Toxoplasma antibodies in domestic outpatient cats in the city of São Paulo was evaluated using the indirect immunofluorescence assay. A total of 248 blood samples obtained from male and female cats seen at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the University of São Paulo between February 1996 and January 1997 were tested. Of these, 17.7% were positive, with a 64 titer being detected in most animals. The frequence of Toxoplasma antibodies was significantly higher in older cats, those fed raw meat and those with free access to the outdoor environment. There was no significant difference in reactivity between males and females. We conclude that diet and free access to the outdoor environment were equally important as predisposing factors to the risk of Toxoplasma infection.