Seroprevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in Gordon's wildcat (Felis silvestris gordoni) in the Middle East

Most species of felids tested have been found to be the definitive host for Toxoplasma gondii. Gordon's wildcat (Felis silvestris gordoni) is a threatened species found in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in all 29 captive and 2 of 7 wild-caught F. s. gordoni in UAE examined by the modified agglutination test (MAT). Titers were 1:100 in 1, 1:200 in 5, 1:400 in 6, 1:800 in 10, 1:1,600 in 5, and 1:3,200 or higher in 4. None of these cats was ill, despite exhibiting high antibody titers. This is the first report of T. gondii infection in this host. © American Society of Parasitologists 2008.