Investigation of the diagnostic value of serology, cytology and polymerase chain reaction in cat toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease affecting most of the mammalian and aviary animals caused by Toxoplasma gondii. In this study, diagnostic values of bronchoalveolar lavage, biopsy and PCR and their practical implementation ways were questioned. The results of the each test were evaluated. Additionally, incidence of toxoplasmosis among seropositive cats were investigated by T. gondii and oocyst shedding screened in the stool samples, as well. The material of the study was constituted by blood, stool and bronchoalveoloar lavage samples taken from totally 102 cats. Bronchoalveolar lavage samples were evaluated for cytologic examination. In PCR analysis, T. gondii B1 primary sets were used and conventional-PCR procedure was applied. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 49 (48,03%) of 102, with titers of 1/16 in 41 (40,19%), 1/64 in 8 (7,84%) cats. Only one cat exhibited systemic toxoplasmosis. In conclusion, although the seroprevalance was 48.03%, systemic toxoplasmosis rate was found 0.98% (1/49) with a lower percentage.