The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in cats from Hungary

Abstract

The aim of this study was to detect the anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies in the sera collected from 100 cats living in Budapest and 100 kept in the countryside. The serological method used was a marketed Immunofluorescence Antibody Test (MegaFLUO TOXOPLASMA g). We also investigated the relationship between the seroprevalence rate of T. gondii infected cats with factors such as the origin of the cats, their gender and age. A total of 136 (68%) cats were found to be seropositive, with 69 and 67 positive cats from Budapest and from the countryside, respectively. The cut off titer was 1:50. The number of seropositive cats decreased at higher dilutions, the highest dilution titer of positive sera was at 1:12800. The seroprevalence varied only slightly according to the gender of the cats from both Budapest and the countryside. More than 60% of the cats above 1 year old were seropositive, from both Budapest and countryside. Higher seroprevalence was found in older cats above 15 years of age. Overall the results showed a high seroprevalence rate of Toxoplasma gondii infection among cats from Hungary and the most important associated factor determined was the increasing of age.