Publication:

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among stray cats using different serological techniques in Erbil City: Kurdistan Region/Iraq

Background The causative agent of toxoplasmosis is Toxoplasma gondii which is an intracellular protozoan. Felines including cats are the only definitive hosts for T. gondii and they play a significant role in spreading the oocysts in the environment. It has been estimated that T. gondii infects about one-third of the human population. This study was performed to estimate the seroprevalence rate of Anti-T. gondii IgG Abs in 100 strays by using different serological techniques.

Methods Hundred stray cats of both sexes (50 males and 50 females) from different ages (one month to 48 months) were hunted by trap cage and shooting tranquilizer gun in Erbil city and used for detecting T. gondii antibodies.

Results The seroprevalence rates obtained were: 22%, 20% and 11% by MAT, ELISA and LAT respectively. Male cats showed higher seroprevalence than females (13% versus7%). According to the agreement between MAT titers and ELISA IgG (cutoff ELISA≥1) in stray cat’s sera, the percent of positive results in ELISA (cutoff≥1) method were exactly matched with the MAT titer (≥1:50) while the overall agreement and negative percent agreement were elevated by increasing MAT titers and the positive percent agreement was stable in all titers. The overall agreement results were 96% and 100% for MAT titers ≥1:25 and ≥1:50, respectively and negative percent agreement results were 97.4% and 100% for MAT titers ≥1:25 and ≥1:50 respectively.

Conclusions Exactly matched between MAT technique titer (≥1:50) and ELISA technique. Index (cutoff≥1). Therefore, MAT could be used for detecting IgG Abs of Toxoplasma gondii instead of ELISA technique.