Seroprevalence of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in Cats from Cyprus

<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is a cosmopolitan protozoon parasite, and the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, one of the most prevalent zoonotic parasitic diseases. Cats, as definitive hosts, spread the parasite via their faeces, but this occurs only for a very short period in their life. Ser...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Charalampos Attipa, Christos Yiapanis, Séverine Tasker, Anastasia Diakou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
Series:Pathogens
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/7/882
Description
Summary:<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is a cosmopolitan protozoon parasite, and the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, one of the most prevalent zoonotic parasitic diseases. Cats, as definitive hosts, spread the parasite via their faeces, but this occurs only for a very short period in their life. Seropositivity in cats, although not associated with current shedding of the parasite, is indicative of the infection in a cat population and can be used to assess the infection risk for definitive and intermediate hosts in that area. In order to assess the prevalence of infection in cats living in Cyprus, 155 cats, originating from all districts of the country, were examined for the presence of <i>T</i>. <i>gondii</i> antibodies. Additionally, parameters such as age, sex, health status, lifestyle and concomitant infections were statistically assessed as potential risk factors for <i>T</i>. <i>gondii</i> seropositivity. Specific anti-<i>T</i>. <i>gondii</i> antibodies were detected in 50 (32.3%) cats, while the presence of feline immunodeficiency virus antibodies and a history of never having been vaccinated were statistically associated with <i>T</i>. <i>gondii</i> seropositivity on multivariate logistic regression analysis. This is the first report of <i>T</i>. <i>gondii</i> seroprevalence in cats in Cyprus and indicates that raised public awareness should be considered to prevent infection of animals and humans.
ISSN:2076-0817