Prevalence of serum antibodies to <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in free-ranging cats on Tokunoshima Island, Japan

Role of landscape context in Toxoplasma gondii infection of invasive definitive and intermediate hosts on a World Heritage Island

“…Cat serum anti- T. gondii antibody was measured by an indirect ELISA previously ( Shoshi et al, 2021 ), following the method of Can et al (2014) . Briefly, 96-well microtiter plates were coated with an antigen suspension prepared from 3.0 × 10 5 /ml samples of T. gondii RH Ankara strain tachyzoites ( Delibas et al, 2006 ).…”

“…In this study, we evaluated antibody levels against T. gondii in free-ranging cats and black rats ( Rattus rattus ) on Tokunoshima Island (southeastern Japan) to determine how infection with T. gondii is associated with environmental factors. The prevalence of serum antibodies to T. gondii in cats on Tokunoshima Island is reported to be as high as 47.2% ( Shoshi et al, 2021 ). The landscape of this island is composed mainly of forests, agricultural lands, and residential areas, a typical heterogeneous landscape in Asian countries.…”