Cross-sectional survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection in colony cats from urban Florence (Italy). 2010

Francesca Mancianti, and Simona Nardoni, and Gaetano Ariti, and Dario Parlanti, and Giovanna Giuliani, and Roberto A Papini
Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Profilassi ed Igiene degli Alimenti, Viale delle Piagge, 2, Università di Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy. manciant@vet.unipi.it

Cats are the key species in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection, even if the proportion of subjects excreting oocysts is low. The aim of the present paper was to obtain information about seroprevalence, oocyst shedding rate and presence of T gondii DNA in faeces collected from an urban population of colony cats in Florence (Tuscany). Fifty European shorthair feral cats were examined for anti-T gondii specific antibodies by a modified agglutination test (MAT), and for oocysts by microscopic examination and for faecal protozoal DNA, by means of a nested polymerase chain reaction (n-PCR) protocol. Twenty-two out of 50 serum samples (44%) were MAT positive. T gondii oocysts were not detected in any of the examined faecal samples. Eight out of 50 faecal specimens (16%) were n-PCR positive and sequencing of the bands was specific for T gondii. Detection by combination of the two methods was higher than single techniques and enhanced the detection of T gondii up to 48%. Our results suggest that the use of MAT plus PCR in faeces may be the best choice for diagnosis of feline toxoplasmosis. Further studies to ascertain the real infectivity of the copro-PCR positive subjects are required.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007558 Italy A country in southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia. The capital is Rome. Sardinia
D008297 Male Males
D010270 Parasite Egg Count Determination of parasite eggs in feces. Count, Parasite Egg,Counts, Parasite Egg,Egg Count, Parasite,Egg Counts, Parasite,Parasite Egg Counts
D002371 Cat Diseases Diseases of the domestic cat (Felis catus or F. domesticus). This term does not include diseases of the so-called big cats such as CHEETAHS; LIONS; tigers, cougars, panthers, leopards, and other Felidae for which the heading CARNIVORA is used. Feline Diseases,Cat Disease,Disease, Cat,Disease, Feline,Diseases, Cat,Diseases, Feline,Feline Disease
D002415 Cats The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801) Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D003430 Cross-Sectional Studies Studies in which the presence or absence of disease or other health-related variables are determined in each member of the study population or in a representative sample at one particular time. This contrasts with LONGITUDINAL STUDIES which are followed over a period of time. Disease Frequency Surveys,Prevalence Studies,Analysis, Cross-Sectional,Cross Sectional Analysis,Cross-Sectional Survey,Surveys, Disease Frequency,Analyses, Cross Sectional,Analyses, Cross-Sectional,Analysis, Cross Sectional,Cross Sectional Analyses,Cross Sectional Studies,Cross Sectional Survey,Cross-Sectional Analyses,Cross-Sectional Analysis,Cross-Sectional Study,Cross-Sectional Surveys,Disease Frequency Survey,Prevalence Study,Studies, Cross-Sectional,Studies, Prevalence,Study, Cross-Sectional,Study, Prevalence,Survey, Cross-Sectional,Survey, Disease Frequency,Surveys, Cross-Sectional
D004197 Disease Reservoirs Animate or inanimate sources which normally harbor disease-causing organisms and thus serve as potential sources of disease outbreaks. Reservoirs are distinguished from vectors (DISEASE VECTORS) and carriers, which are agents of disease transmission rather than continuing sources of potential disease outbreaks. Humans may serve both as disease reservoirs and carriers. Disease Reservoir,Human Disease Reservoirs,Infectious Disease Reservoir,Reservoirs of Infection,Infectious Disease Reservoirs,Disease Reservoir, Human,Disease Reservoir, Infectious,Disease Reservoirs, Human,Human Disease Reservoir,Infection Reservoir,Infection Reservoirs,Reservoir, Disease,Reservoir, Infectious Disease,Reservoirs, Human Disease
D005243 Feces Excrement from the INTESTINES, containing unabsorbed solids, waste products, secretions, and BACTERIA of the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.
D005260 Female Females
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia

Related Publications

Francesca Mancianti, and Simona Nardoni, and Gaetano Ariti, and Dario Parlanti, and Giovanna Giuliani, and Roberto A Papini
October 2004, Veterinary parasitology,
Francesca Mancianti, and Simona Nardoni, and Gaetano Ariti, and Dario Parlanti, and Giovanna Giuliani, and Roberto A Papini
August 2008, Veterinary parasitology,
Francesca Mancianti, and Simona Nardoni, and Gaetano Ariti, and Dario Parlanti, and Giovanna Giuliani, and Roberto A Papini
October 2009, Veterinary parasitology,
Francesca Mancianti, and Simona Nardoni, and Gaetano Ariti, and Dario Parlanti, and Giovanna Giuliani, and Roberto A Papini
January 2021, Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria = Brazilian journal of veterinary parasitology : Orgao Oficial do Colegio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria,
Francesca Mancianti, and Simona Nardoni, and Gaetano Ariti, and Dario Parlanti, and Giovanna Giuliani, and Roberto A Papini
April 2020, Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland),
Francesca Mancianti, and Simona Nardoni, and Gaetano Ariti, and Dario Parlanti, and Giovanna Giuliani, and Roberto A Papini
December 2020, Parasitology international,
Francesca Mancianti, and Simona Nardoni, and Gaetano Ariti, and Dario Parlanti, and Giovanna Giuliani, and Roberto A Papini
February 2012, The Journal of parasitology,
Francesca Mancianti, and Simona Nardoni, and Gaetano Ariti, and Dario Parlanti, and Giovanna Giuliani, and Roberto A Papini
January 2004, Wiadomosci parazytologiczne,
Francesca Mancianti, and Simona Nardoni, and Gaetano Ariti, and Dario Parlanti, and Giovanna Giuliani, and Roberto A Papini
January 2018, PloS one,
Francesca Mancianti, and Simona Nardoni, and Gaetano Ariti, and Dario Parlanti, and Giovanna Giuliani, and Roberto A Papini
September 2022, BMC veterinary research,
Copied contents to your clipboard!