Journal article

Agglutinating antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in sera from captive eastern barred bandicoots in Australia

DS Miller, GF Mitchell, B Biggs, H McCracken, P Myroniuk, M Hewish

JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES | WILDLIFE DISEASE ASSN, INC | Published : 2000

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is considered a severe health risk for many marsupial species. The mainland Australian population of bandicoot is endangered. Therefore, a preliminary serosurvey was conducted to evaluate exposure to Toxoplasma gondii in 57 captive eastern barred bandicoot and to estimate the possible impact of Toxoplasma on recovering populations. Five (9%) bandicoot were classified as seropositive using a modified agglutination test. Nineteen additional bandicoot (33%) were classified as serosuspect using a direct agglutination test. No bandicoot showed signs of clinical disease. Seropositive titers were IgG associated, suggesting that infections were chronic and latent. Serostatus was not as..

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University of Melbourne Researchers