Toxoplasmosis in wild mammals from the Czech Republic

Abstract

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii was determined in wild mammals in the Czech Republic from 1981 to 1990. The biological prevalence of T. gondii was < 1% in insectivores (n = 578), 12% in carnivores (n = 112), 1% in rodents except muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) (n = 5,163), 24% in muskrats (n = 437), 5% in lagomorphs (n = 293), 0% in ruminants (n = 456), and 2% in wild boars (Sus scrofa) (n = 136). The seroprevalence (Sabin-Feldman dye test, titre > or = 1:4) of T. gondii was 15% in ruminants (n = 421), and 15% in wild boars (n = 124). Antibodies to T. gondii also were found in four of 10 carnivores. Toxoplasmosis is a common infection in wild mammals from the Czech Republic, but its prevalence varies considerable according to taxonomic groups and different localities where wild mammals live.