Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and intestinal parasites in stray cats from Nigde, Turkey.

摘要

The prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii was investigated by the Sabin-Feldman Dye test (SFDT) in 72 stray cats from Nigde, Turkey (April-June 2003). A total of 55 serum samples (76.4%) had antibodies to T. gondii. The seropositivity of T. gondii was 77.1% in male and 75.7% in female cats (P>0.05). The faeces of these cats were also examined by zinc sulfate flotation method for the presence of parasite oocysts and eggs of other parasites. Two protozoan parasites were identified as Isospora spp. (12.5%) and Eimeria spp. (4.1%) in cats. T. gondii oocysts were not found in any faecal samples analysed. Two parasitic helminth species were observed: Toxocara cati (15.2%) and Toxascaris leonina (20.8%). These common ascarids were recorded for the first time in cats from Nigde.