Seroprevalence of and Risk Factors for <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Infection in Cats from Greece
Kassiopi Christina G. Kokkinaki | Manolis N. Saridomichelakis | Mathios E. Mylonakis | Leonidas Leontides | Panagiotis G. Xenoulis
Toxoplasmosis is one of the most important protozoan diseases with a global impact on the health of domestic cats and with zoonotic significance. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of seropositivity for <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in different populations of cats in Greece and to assess risk factors for seropositivity. A total of 457 cats were prospectively enrolled, and a commercially available indirect immunofluorescence antibody testing (IFAT) kit was used for the detection of anti-<i>T. gondii</i> immunoglobulin G (IgG) in serum. Overall, 95 (20.8%) of the 457 cats were seropositive for <i>T. gondii.</i> Based on multivariate analysis, factors associated with seropositivity included older age [Odds ratio (OR), 1.33; <i>p</i> < 0.001]; a history of cat-fight trauma (OR, 3.88; <i>p</i> = 0.004); and lack of vaccination against calicivirus, herpesvirus-1, panleukopenia, and rabies (OR, 10; <i>p</i> = 0.002). This study shows a high prevalence of seropositivity for <i>T. gondii</i> in cats in Greece. This implies that toxoplasmosis is still a major public health concern and that optimal strategies for the prevention of infection with <i>T. gondii</i> in cats should be established.
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