PREVALENCE OF SERUM ANTIBODIES TO TOXOPLASMA-GONDII IN ONTARIO MAMMALS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 42  (2) , 177-183
Abstract
The prevalence of seropositive reactions to T. gondii was studied in farm animals, companion animals, wild rodents and birds. Of animals tested, 17% cattle, 65% sheep, 45% pigs, 9% horses, 33% dogs and 20% cats were seropositive by the Sabin-Feldman dye test. In addition 11% mice (Mus musculus), 5% deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), 3% rats (Rattus norevegicus) and < 2% sparrows (Passer domesticus) were seropositive. All samples from short-tailed field mice (Microtus pennsylvanicus), squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), chipmunks (Tamias striatus), meadow jumping mice (Zapus hudsonius) and starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were seronegative. The significant of these findings in relation to the epizootiology of toxoplasmosis in Ontario [Canada] is discussed.