Direct evidence of an extra-intestinal cycle ofin tigers () by isolation of viable strains.

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases in the world. Felines excrete environmentally resistantoocysts. However, there is no direct evidence to prove tigers are the intermediate host of. Here, we show that, IgG antibodies toin 80% (8/10) of captive tigers. Two viablestrains (ToxoDB genotype #9) were isolated by bioassay in mice using striated muscles of two tigers (Tiger#3 and Tiger#8). Additionally, mice were confirmed as-positive by bioassay of feces #89-110, but no viablestrain was isolated successfully. The fecal samples from tigers may containoocysts. This is the first report ofisolation from tigers. These results provide direct evidence that an extra-intestinal cycle ofmay develop in tigers.