Use of ELISA to test seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cats of Tom Green County

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cats Tom Green County. We coordinated with four different veterinary offices in the county to collect the remains of blood samples taken in their practices for clinical tests. Using an ELISA, we tested the blood samples to determine if they had IgG antibodies against T. gondii, thus suggesting that they were or are currently infected. We found that 90% of the cats were positive for IgG antibodies to T. gondii, but there were no significant P-values for the seroprevalence of cats based on the animal’s sex, age, gender, and location in the county. This study is significant because 90% is higher than the seroprevalence we most commonly found in the literature of 30%-60%. In addition to this, Tom Green County is located in a dry region of west Texas which makes it harder for oocysts to survive in the environment and should result in a lower seroprevalence.