PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST TOXOPLASMA-GONDII AMONG HOSPITALIZED ANIMALS AND STRAY DOGS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 42  (4) , 407-413
Abstract
Hospitalized animals and stray dogs were serologically tested for antibodies [Ab] against T. gondii. The data were examined for the possibility of toxoplasmosis infection being associated with the clinical diagnosis and with the discharge status (alive vs. dead). Among 1056 hospitalized animals, 17 (20%) of 86 cats, 112 (14%) of 804 dogs, 34 (26%) of 133 horses and 6 (18%) of 33 cattle had serological evidence of infection with T. gondii. Only 22 (6%) of 342 young (median age = 1 yr) stray dogs were seropositive. The difference in Ab prevalence between hospitalized and stray dogs may be due to age and dietary factors. Of 249 dogs grouped by clinical diagnosis, there was significantly (P < 0.01) higher prevalence of seropositives among dogs with diseases of the kidney or with adrenocortical hyperfunction than among dogs hospitalized for other diseases. Of 19 dogs with diseases of the kidney and 12 with adrenocortical hyperfunction, 37% and 42%, respectively, were seropositive. There was higher risk of being discharged from the hospital dead among seropositive dogs, cattle and horses than among seronegative animals of the same species. Of 69 seronegative cats, 29% were dead at discharge and of 17 seropositive cats, 18% were dead at discharge. The possible effects of stress due to hospitalization need further research.