A study on seroprevalence and coproantigen detection of Toxoplasma gondii in companion cats in Ahvaz area, southwestern Iran

Abstract

Cats play crucial roles in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis. In the present study, a total of 198companion cats of different ages were examined for serum antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii byimmunochromatography assay and for oocyst presence in faeces by microscopic examination (flotationmethod) and immunochromatography assay. The cats were selected between referred cases to the Veterinary Hospital of Ahvaz University, southwestern Iran from December 2006 to November 2009. Classification was made by age, sex, breed, region and season. The studied cats were divided into three groups based on age (3 years) and into five regions based on area (north, east, west, south andcentral). The results were analyzed by Chi-square analysis, Fischer's exact test and Z test. Forty nine of 198serum samples (24.75%) had antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (95% CI: 18.7-30.7%). Prevalence wassignificantly higher in adult cats above 3 years (38.8%) and 6 months–3 years (26.6%) compared with catsless than 6 months (3.8%) (P