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Garcia-Bocanegra, I.; Dubey, J.P.; Martinez, F.; Vargas, A.; Cabezon, O.; Zorrilla, I.; Arenas, A.; Almeria, S.
Factors affecting seroprevalence of _Toxoplasma gondii_ in the endangered Iberian lynx
2010  Veterinary Parasitology (167): 36-42

Wild felids are considered important in maintaining the sylvatic cycle of _Toxoplasma gondii_. Although, _T. gondii_ antibodies have been reported in several species of wild felids, little is known of the epidemiology and risk factors associated with _T. gondii_ infection in wild cats. The Iberian lynx (_Lynx pardinus_) is the most endangered felid species in the world. In the present study, seroprevalence and associated risk factors for _T. gondii_ infection in a large population of Iberian lynx in Spain were determined. Serum samples from 129 Iberian lynx collected from 2005 to 2009 and 85 wild rabbits (_Oryctolagus cuniculus_), sharing the habitat with the Iberian lynx, were tested for antibodies to _T. gondii_ by the modified agglutination test (MAT) using a cut-off value of 1:25. Antibodies to _T. gondii_ were found in 81 of 129 (62.8%) Iberian lynx. Seroprevalence to _T. gondii_ in Iberian lynx significantly increased with age (P < 0.001). _T. gondii_ seroprevalences were similar in free-ranging (66.7% of 93) and wild-caught captive lynx (69% of 84) but significantly lower in captive-born lynx (22.5% of 40). Seroprevalence was higher in lynx with concurrent _Cytauxzoon felis_ (88% of 25) but not with concurrent Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) infection (53.8% of 13). There were no significant differences in seroprevalence between sexes, geographic region and year of sample collection (2005-2009). Oocysts of _T. gondii_ were not detected microscopically in fecal samples from 58 lynx. Wild rabbits are considered the most important food for the lynx. Antibodies to _T. gondii_ were found in 14 (11.9%) of 85 rabbits tested. The present results indicate that _T. gondii_ infection is widespread in the two areas where Iberian lynx survive in Spain. The fact that four captive-born lynx seroconverted was indication of contact with _T. gondii_ also in the Captive Breeding Centers, hence, control measures to prevent _T. gondii_ infection would be necessary in these centers.

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