Prevalence of Toxoplasmosis in Wild Animals from Fort Stewart, Georgia, as Indicated by Serological Tests and Mouse Inoculation

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Two hundred sixty-four wild animals representing 12 species from an enzootic area in Southeast Georgia were tested by serology (Sabin-Feldman dye test) and mouse inoculation for the presence of toxoplasmosis. Serological evidence of infection, as judged by a titer of 1:16 or higher, was found in 30% and 9 species of the animals tested: (raccoon, opossum, gray fox, red fox, bobcat, skunk, cottontail, gray squirrel, and deer). Toxoplasma were isolated from 6% and 6 species (raccoon, opossum, gray fox, bobcat, cottontail, gray squirrel). No infections were detected in the deermouse, cottonrat, and feral pig. There appeared to be no correlation between serological titer or feeding habits of the host and the detection of the causative organism. The information presented indicates infection without detectable antibody response occasionally occurs, and that data in this and earlier reports probably underestimate the actual prevalence of toxoplasmosis in a wild animal population.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: