Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Domestic Short-haired cats (Felis catus) in a Wildlife Facility in Manila

Emilia  A. Lastica,; Marianne Leila  S. Flores,; Verman  G. Guevara,; Marco  F. Reyes,; Dianne Grace  D. San Roque,

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Domestic Short-haired cats (Felis catus) in a Wildlife Facility in Manila

Marco F. Reyes | Verman G. Guevara | Dianne Grace DG. San Roque | Marianne Leila S. Flores | Emilia A. Lastica

Discipline: Biology, Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science

Abstract:

Thirty apparently healthy domestic short-haired cats (Felis catus) of both sexes, 3-48 months old, living in a wildlife facility in Manila were used in the study. The animals had no record of deworming or vaccination. Cats with owners were excluded in the study. Blood sera were tested for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Test kit. It was observed that 46.67% of all the animals tested had serologic evidence of exposure to T. gondii. Males (66.67%) were found to be more prone to the infection than females (26.67%). All animals that tested positive were adults. This study showed that male, adult domestic short-haired cats were more prone to exposure to the parasite than females and young animals.