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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #140127
Title: TRANSPLACENTAL TOXOPLASMOSIS IN A REINDEER (RANGIFER TARANDUS) FETUS

Author
item Dubey, Jitender
item LEWIS, B - 1265-40-00
item BEAM, K - TX VET MED DIAG LAB
item ABBITT, B - 1265-40-00

Submitted to: Veterinary Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/10/2002
Publication Date: 12/1/2002
Citation: Dubey, J.P., Lewis, B., Beam, K., Abbitt, B. 2002. Transplacental toxoplasmosis in a reindeer (rangifer tarandus) fetus. Veterinary Parasitology 110:131-135.

Interpretive Summary: Toxoplasma gondii infection was diagnosed in a full term stillborn reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) fetus. The fetus had encephalitis and placentitis associated with T. gondii. Tissue cysts were identified histologically in sections of brain and tachyzoites were present in placenta and the myocardium. Protozoa in the brain, heart, and placenta stained positively with T. gondii antibodies, but not with Neospora caninum antibodies in an immunohistochemical test. The dam of the fetus had a 1:12800 titer to T. gondii in the modified agglutination test employing whole tachyzoites and mercaptoethanol. This is the first confirmed report of T. gondii infection in reindeer.

Technical Abstract: Toxoplasma gondii infection was diagnosed in a full term stillborn reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) fetus. The fetus had encephalitis and placentitis associated with T. gondii. Tissue cysts were identified histologically in sections of brain and tachyzoites were present in placenta and the myocardium. Protozoa in the brain, heart, and placenta stained positively with T. gondii antibodies, but not with Neospora caninum antibodies in an immunohistochemical test. The dam of the fetus had a 1:12800 titer to T. gondii in the modified agglutination test employing whole tachyzoites and mercaptoethanol. This is the first confirmed report of T. gondii infection in reindeer.