Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina) in Southern Puget Sound, Washington

As part of the Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring Program of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, serum samples from 380 harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) were tested for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in the modified agglutination test (MAT) incorporating formalin-fixed tachyzoites and mercaptoethanol. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 29 of 380 (7.6%) seals with titers of 1:25 in 13, 1:50 in 14, and ≥1:500 in 2 seals. Results indicate natural exposure of these wild marine mammals to T. gondii oocysts.

[1]  R. Cole,et al.  BIOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATIONS OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII STRAINS OBTAINED FROM SOUTHERN SEA OTTERS (ENHYDRA LUTRIS NEREIS) , 2000, The Journal of parasitology.

[2]  I. Mikaelian,et al.  Toxoplasmosis in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from the St Lawrence estuary: two case reports and a serological survey. , 2000, Journal of comparative pathology.

[3]  J. Dubey,et al.  Validation of the specificity of the modified agglutination test for toxoplasmosis in pigs. , 1997, Veterinary parasitology.

[4]  J. Dubey,et al.  Sensitivity and specificity of various serologic tests for detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in naturally infected sows. , 1995, American journal of veterinary research.

[5]  J. Dubey,et al.  Toxoplasma gondii in Iowa sows: comparison of antibody titers to isolation of T. gondii by bioassays in mice and cats. , 1995, The Journal of parasitology.

[6]  M. Domingo,et al.  Pathologic and Immunocytochemical Studies of Morbillivirus Infection in Striped Dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) , 1992, Veterinary pathology.

[7]  J. Dubey,et al.  Fatal Disseminated Toxoplasmosis in a Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostris) , 1990, Veterinary pathology.

[8]  W. Inskeep,et al.  Toxoplasmosis in Atlantic Bottle-Nosed Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) , 1990, Journal of wildlife diseases.

[9]  D. Haines,et al.  Cysts of a Toxoplasma-like organism in an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. , 1990, The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne.

[10]  J. Dubey,et al.  Serological responses of equids fed Toxoplasma gondii oocysts. , 1987, Equine veterinary journal.

[11]  A. Sherrod,et al.  Toxoplasmosis in a feral northern fur seal. , 1985, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

[12]  H. W. Casey,et al.  Toxoplasmosis in a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus). , 1977, American journal of veterinary research.

[13]  R. Dieterich,et al.  STAPHYLOCOCCAL INFECTION AND TOXOPLASMOSIS IN A YOUNG HARBOR SEAL* , 1973 .