Toxoplasmosis in farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Scotland. 1980

J M Williamson, and H Williams, and G A Sharman

Farming of red deer began in Scotland in 1970 when an experimental nucleus was established on a hill farm in Kincardineshire. From 1972 to 1977 sera from these animals were tested by the haemagglutination test (HA) and the Sabin-Feldman dye test (DT) for the presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. Overall, dye test antibodies (greater than or equal to 1/16) were detected in 32.5 per cent of sera and HA antibodies in only 9.8 per cent. On average 14.1 per cent of the deer tested in 1972, 1973 and 1975 were DT positive while a sharp rise to 51.4 per cent was noted in the 1974 animals. These antibody titres were not sustained nor were they reflected by the HA. Marked animals bled serially throughout the survey confirmed the general low level of antibody in the herd and the spasmodic rise in 1974. Experimentally infected deer showed a rise and subsequent fall in DT antibody levels with persistently low HA titres. Since the correlation between HA and DT antibody titres was generally poor the HA would be of limited value in screening for Toxoplasma antibody in farmed red deer sera. The direct agglutination test was used to examine selected sera and the results indicated its potential screening value.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D003670 Deer The family Cervidae of 17 genera and 45 species occurring nearly throughout North America, South America, and Eurasia, on most associated continental islands, and in northern Africa. Wild populations of deer have been established through introduction by people in Cuba, New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, and other places where the family does not naturally occur. They are slim, long-legged and best characterized by the presence of antlers. Their habitat is forests, swamps, brush country, deserts, and arctic tundra. They are usually good swimmers; some migrate seasonally. (Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, p1362) Deers
D006386 Hemagglutination Tests Sensitive tests to measure certain antigens, antibodies, or viruses, using their ability to agglutinate certain erythrocytes. (From Stedman, 26th ed) Hemagglutination Test,Test, Hemagglutination,Tests, Hemagglutination
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
D000906 Antibodies Immunoglobulin molecules having a specific amino acid sequence by virtue of which they interact only with the ANTIGEN (or a very similar shape) that induced their synthesis in cells of the lymphoid series (especially PLASMA CELLS).
D012606 Scotland The most northerly of the four countries of the United Kingdom, occupying about one-third of the island of Great Britain. The capital is Edinburgh.
D014122 Toxoplasma A genus of protozoa parasitic to birds and mammals. T. gondii is one of the most common infectious pathogenic animal parasites of man. Toxoplasma gondii,Toxoplasma gondius,Toxoplasmas,gondius, Toxoplasma
D014124 Toxoplasmosis, Animal Acquired infection of non-human animals by organisms of the genus TOXOPLASMA. Animal Toxoplasmoses,Animal Toxoplasmosis,Toxoplasmoses, Animal

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