ARS | Publication request: Seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii in cats from Sr. Kitts, West Indies

Submitted to: Journal of Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: May 1, 2007
Publication Date: August 1, 2007
Citation: Moura, L., Kelley, P., Krecek, R.C., Dubey, J.P. 2007. Seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii in cats from Sr. Kitts, West Indies. Journal of Parasitology. 93:952-953.

Interpretive Summary: Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled parasite of all warm-blooded hosts worldwide. It causes mental retardation and loss of vision in children, and abortion in livestock. Cats are the main reservoir of T. gondii because they are the only hosts that can excrete the resistant stage (oocyst) of the parasite in the feces. Humans become infected by eating undercooked meat from infected animals and food and water contaminated with oocysts.Scientists at the USDA Agricultural Research Service and University in St. Kitts, West Indies report prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies in cats in St. KittsThe results will be of interest to biologists, parasitologists, and veterinarians.

Technical Abstract: The prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii was determined in sera from 106 domestic cats from St. Kitts, West Indies. Using a modified agglutination test, antibodies to this parasite were found in 90 (84.9%) of the cats with titers of 1:20 in 23, 1:40 in 34, 1:80 in 18, 1:160 in 2, 1:320 in 1, and 1:1,280 or higher in 11. This is the first report of the prevalence of T. gondii infections in cats on St Kitts and suggests widespread contamination of the environment with oocysts.