Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Toxoplasma infection rates and risks in cats in central Germany
By Nils Altner et al.·Published in Pets·2025·Department for Small Animals, College of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 23, 04103 Leipzig, Germany, CH·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Seroprevalence and Risk Factors in Feline Patients Admitted to a Small Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Central Germany over 11 Years (2012–2023)
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A study looked at 174 cats admitted to a veterinary hospital in Germany over 11 years to see how many had been infected with Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that can cause health issues. Many of the cats showed symptoms like neurological problems, difficulty moving, or eye issues, with older cats being more likely to test positive for the infection. The research found that outdoor cats were more often infected than indoor cats, and those that ate wet food were also more likely to have antibodies against the parasite. Understanding these factors can help pet owners reduce the risk of infection in their cats.
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Abstract
<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is a protozoan parasite in cats that can be a cause of zoonotic concern due to sheding infectious and highly resistant oocysts. Clinical toxoplasmosis is rare in cats and can occur with mild to severe clinical signs or even fatal outcomes. <i>T. gondii</i> immunoglobulin M (IgM) or IgG is an indicator of ongoing or prior infection. Information about <i>T. gondii</i> occurrence in the domestic cat population, primary clinical concerns about affected cats, and potential risk factors is scarce in Germany. This retrospective study explored data from 174 feline patients (≥12 weeks old) presented to a tertiary veterinary care facility in central Germany between 2012 and 2023. <i>T. gondii</i> serological status, determined as part of the cats’ routine diagnostic evaluation, was assessed in relation to patient characteristics, environmental factors, medical history data, and clinical diagnosis. Neurological (57%), locomotor (25%), and ocular signs (11%) were common, and older age was associated with the presence of IgG (<i>p</i> = 0.008). Sex had no significant effects on <i>T. gondii</i> antibody positivity (<i>p</i> = 0.865). More outdoor cats than indoor-only cats were <i>T. gondii</i> IgG-positive (<i>p</i> = 0.021), and IgG-seropositive animals received a canned/wet diet more often than a dry kibble diet (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). Clinical representations aligned with previous studies, and age, choice of food, and outdoor living (<i>p</i> = 0.021) were significant predisposing factors.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3390/pets2010007