1. Investigation of the role of stray cats for transmission of toxoplasmosis to humans and animals living in İzmir, Turkey.
- Author
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Karakavuk M, Can H, Selim N, Yeşilsiraz B, Atlı E, Atalay Şahar E, Demir F, Gül A, Özdemir HG, Alan N, Yalçın M, Özkurt O, Aras M, Çelik T, Can Ş, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Gürüz AY, and Döşkaya M
- Subjects
- Animals, Antibodies, Protozoan blood, Blood parasitology, Cat Diseases parasitology, Cats, DNA, Protozoan, Feces parasitology, Humans, Oocysts cytology, Oocysts isolation & purification, Prevalence, Seroepidemiologic Studies, Toxoplasmosis, Animal transmission, Turkey epidemiology, Toxoplasma genetics, Toxoplasma immunology, Toxoplasmosis, Animal parasitology
- Abstract
Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that has a widespread distribution among mammalians and birds. One of the reasons for the high prevalence may be due to ingesting oocyst disseminated by stray cats' feces. In Turkey, most of the citizens are closely associated with stray cats and they love to pet and feed them on the streets. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of T. gondii DNA in feces of stray cats living in İzmir, Turkey in order to identify the transmission potential to humans and other animals., Methodology: Feces and blood samples of 465 stray cats were investigated for the presence of T. gondii oocysts by microscopy and for the presence of T. gondii DNA by two real time PCR methods. Furthermore, serum samples were analyzed for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies using an ELISA., Results: Oocysts were detected in 0.43% of the stray cats by microscopy. T. gondii DNA was detected in 14.37% of the stray cats' feces samples. The seroprevalence rate was 37.84%. In the feces and/or blood PCR positive group, 35.89% of them were seropositive. Among the 176 seropositive cats, T. gondii DNA was detected in feces of 27 cats (15.34%)., Conclusions: This study first time showed the inter relation of T. gondii DNA in feces and blood samples and seropositivity. In sum, over 14% of the stray cats living outdoor may have an important role in transmission of toxoplasmosis to humans in İzmir as well as to other animals., Competing Interests: No Conflict of Interest is declared, (Copyright (c) 2021 Muhammet Karakavuk, Huseyin Can, Nebahat Selim, Berna Yesilsiraz, Evren Atli, Esra Atalay Sahar, Ferda Demir, Aytul Gul, Huseyin Gokhan Ozdemir, Nuray Alan, Mustafa Yalcin, Onur Ozkurt, Murat Aras, Tuncel Celik, Sengul Can, Aysu Degirmenci Doskaya, Adnan Yuksel Guruz, Mert Doskaya.)
- Published
- 2021
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