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Title: SEROPREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII IN ELEPHANTS (ELEPHUS MAXIMUS INDICUS) IN THAILAND

Author
item TUNTASUVAN, D - NATIONAL INSTITUTE HEALTH
item MOHKAEW, K - NATIONAL INSTITUTE HEALTH
item Dubey, Jitender

Submitted to: Journal of Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Infection by the single-celled parasite, Toxoplasma gondii is common in many species of animals. It causes mental retardation and loss of vision in children and abortion in livestock. Little is known of the prevalence of T. gondii in animals in Thailand. Scientists at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and National Institute of Animal Health in Bangkok report the prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in 45% of 156 elephants. These results will be of use to biologists, parasitologists and veterinarians.

Technical Abstract: Serum samples from 156 captive elephants (Elephus maximus indicus) from Thailand were examined for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii using the modified agglutination test (MAT) and the latex agglutination test (LAT). Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 45.5% of 156 elephants by MAT (>1:25) and 25.6% of 156 elephants by LAT (>1:64). This is the first report of T. .gondii infection in E. maximus indicus from Asia.