Detection of IgG Antibodies Against T. gondii and Associated Risk Factors in Domestic and stray Cats in Lusaka, Zambia

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a nearly ever present organism that infects humans, wildlife, birds, domestic and food animals. T. gondii has been reported in pigs, chickens, sheep, goats, and cattle. However, only members of the cat family (Felidae) are the definitive host and shed the environmentally resistant oocyst form of the organism in their faeces. Transmission to humans usually occurs by ingesting cysts in undercooked meat and exposure to soil and water which is contaminated by oocysts. Feline infections are typically subclinical; congenitally infected kittens are the ones that are most likely to have clinical signs of infection, but previously clinically healthy adult cats may also be affected. Despite the disease’s significance in public health, very few studies have been done on T. gondii in Zambia. This study was a cross-sectional survey to investigate the seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasmosis. A survey was carried out using a questionnaire that was distributed to cat owners who attended the veterinary clinics. The questionnaire had demographic data for the cats, questions related to the risk factors of Toxoplasmosis in cats, and practices surrounding the cat owners, like how they handle cat litter, whether their cat was indoor or outdoor, contact of the cat with other cats, and straying behaviour of their cat. A total of178 blood samples were collected from both stray and domestic cats in this study. Of the 178 samples tested for T. gondii IgG antibodies, 88 were from domestic cats and 90 from stray cats. Thirty out of 178 samples were positive for antibodies, indicating an overall seroprevalence of 16.85%. Of the 30 positive seropositive samples, 60% (18) came from domestic cats and 40% (12) from stray cats. The seroprevalence for domestic cats was found to be 20.4% and that of strays 13.3%. The two risk factors found to be associated with toxoplasma Seropositivity were sex (p=0.007, 95%, CI 0.071,0.976) and diet (p=0.038, 95%, CI 1.395,95.418) It was concluded that Toxoplasma gondii was widely spread in the study population. The presence of the antibodies indicated that at one point in their lives, these cats were actively infected and shedding oocysts in the environment, thereby posing a risk to humans and other species like sheep and chickens.