Sioutas G. DVM, PhD student, EVPC Resident, Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Symeonidou I. DVM, PhD, Assistant Professor, Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Gelasakis Α.Ι. DVM, MPH, PhD, Dip.ECSRHM, Assistant Professor, Laboratory of Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals, Department of Animal Science, School of Animal Biosciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Tzirinis C. DVM student, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Papadopoulos E. DVM, MSc, PhD, Dip.EVPC, Professor, Head of the Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Introduction
Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous zoonotic parasite, with felines being the only definitive hosts. Cats shed oocysts with their faeces, and seroprevalence studies are used to indirectly assess the environmental contamination. The current study aimed to evaluate T. gondii seroprevalence in Greek cats and identify possible risk factors.
Materials and methods
In total, 1554 blood samples were analyzed from different cats across all nine Greek geographic regions, and a questionnaire was completed for each cat. A rapid immunochromatographic assay was used to detect anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. Chi-square tests were applied and binary logistic regression models were developed.
Results
21.8% of cats were seropositive and regarding risk factors, seropositivity was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in rural cats, cats with outdoor access, and hunting cats. Gender, age, ownership, and raw feeding were not significant risk factors, although female, adult, stray, and raw-feeding cats had higher seroprevalence than their counterparts. In the logistic regression, only hunting remained a significant risk factor in urban areas.
Conclusions
Greek cats had lower seropositivity than the average European value, and the present research highlights the importance of updated seroprevalence and risk factor studies within the context of One-Health.
References
- Sioutas G, Symeonidou I, Gelasakis AI, Tzirinis C, Papadopoulos E (2022) Feline Toxoplasmosis in Greece : A Countrywide Seroprevalence Study and Associated Risk Factors. Pathogens 11, 1511–1523. Montazeri M, Mikaeili GT,
- Moosazadeh M, Sarvi S, Dodangeh S, Javidnia J, Sharif M, Daryani A (2020) The global serological prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in felids during the last five decades (1967-2017): A systematic review and meta-analysis. Parasit Vectors 13, 1-10.
