Experimental infection with Toxoplasma gondii in farmed mink (Mustela vison S.).

ABSTRACT

Live Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts (Strain 119) were administered orally to five mink (Mustela vison S.) and five mink were inoculated with a suspension of ultrasonicated Toxoplasma gondii trophozoites (RH-strain). Seroconversion was observed in all animals administered live T. gondii cysts indicating that infection was established. Likewise seroconversion was observed in three out of four animals administered ultrasonicated T. gondii trophozoites. Faecal shedding of oocysts of T. gondii was not demonstrated in any of the infected animals. Histologically chronic meningitis with calcification was seen in all animals. Cerebral T. gondii tissue cysts were detected in four animals administered live tissue cysts. The study demonstrates that mink can be experimentally infected with T. gondii, thus representing a potential infection source for man, when considering the pelting procedure.