Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cats from Colombo, Sri Lanka

Authors: KULASENA, V - University Of Colombo; RAJAPAKSE, R - University Of Peradeniya; DAYAWANSA, P - University Of Colombo; PREMAWANSA, S - University Of Colombo; Dubey, Jitender

Submitted to: Journal of Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2011
Publication Date: 5/1/2011
Citation: Kulasena, V.A., Rajapakse, R.P., Dayawansa, P.N., Premawansa, S., Dubey, J.P. 2011. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cats from Colombo, Sri Lanka. Journal of Parasitology. 97:152.

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. In the present study scientists document prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in cats from SriLanka. The results will be of interest to biologists, parasitologists, and veterinarians.

Technical Abstract: Cats are essential in the life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii because they are the only hosts that can excrete the environmentally-resistant oocysts in nature. Nothing is known of the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cats from Sri Lanka. Serum samples from 86 cats from Colombo, Sri Lanka were tested for antibodies to T. gondii using the modified agglutination test (MAT); antibodies were found in 26 (30.2%) cats with titers of 1:25 in 4, 1:50 in 4, 1:100 in 3, 1:400 in 2, 1:800 in 3, 1:1,600 in 4, and 1:3,200 or higher in 6 cats. Seropositivity increased with age, and seroprevalence was higher in stray cats versus pet cats. This is the first report of seroprevalence of T. gondii in cats from Sri Lanka.