Seroprevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in Gordon's wildcat (Felis silvestris gordoni) in the Middle East.

ABSTRACT

Most species of felids tested have been found to be the definitive host for Toxoplasma gondii. Gordon's wildcat (Felis silvestris gordoni) is a threatened species found in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in all 29 captive and 2 of 7 wild-caught F. s. gordoni in UAE examined by the modified agglutination test (MAT). Titers were 1100 in 1, 1200 in 5, 1400 in 6, 1800 in 10, 11,600 in 5, and 13,200 or higher in 4. None of these cats was ill, despite exhibiting high antibody titers. This is the first report of T. gondii infection in this host.