A serological and parasitological study of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> infection in stray cats of Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi province, Iran

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine seroprevalence of <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> infectionin stray cats and correlation with oocyst shedding and IFN-γ concentration. From April to August 2016, one hundred fifty-nine stray cats were captured from various localities in Mashhad area. The blood and fecal samples were collected from each cat. The serum samples were examined to detect antibodies against <em>T. gondii </em>infection by ELISA assay and the fecal samples were microscopically examined for <em>T. gondii</em> oocyst detection. The concentration changes of IFN-γ in serum samples of seropositive and seronegative cats were measured using ELISA kit. The results showed that59.12% (94/159) of cats had antibodies against <em>T. gondii</em> infection. The seroprevalence of <em>T. gondii </em>infection in the adult cats above three years olds was higher than other groups. Regarding gender, month and region factors, the difference of seroprevalence of <em>T. gondii</em> infection was not significant. In this study, the <em>Toxoplasma/Hammondia</em> like oocyst (THLO) were detected in 2.56% (4/156) in fecal samples of one seropositive and three seronegative cats. Results also showed that the mean value for IFN-γ concentration in the seropositive cats was significantly higher than that of the seronegative cats. Based on the results, the high percentages of stray cats were infected with <em>T. gondii</em> in this area. The IFN-γ concentration of seropositive cats was higher than that of the seronegative cats.