PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODIES TOTOXOPLASMA GONDIIIN WHITE-TAILED DEER (ODOCOILEUS VIRGINIANUS) IN NEW YORK STATE, USA

• DOI: 10.7589/2013-02-044
• Publication Date: 2013-10-07T18:11:01Z
• Authors: John J. Schaefer; Megan S. Kirchges...; Christopher M. Wh...; Hussni O. Mohammed; Elizabeth M. Bunting; Susan E. Wade
• Keywords: Odocoileus; White (mutation)

Sera collected from 299 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) harvested in New York State by hunters November 2010 were assayed for anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies. White-tailed are a useful sentinel risk of human and domestic animal exposure to Toxoplasma oocysts pose potential infection humans other animals ingestion the meat. share grazing space with raised meat likely be exposed horizontal transmission through oocyst consumption, similar species economic concern. Overall, 42.2% samples positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, indicating true prevalence 38.5%, significantly higher proportion adult than immature antibody positive. No significant difference was found between male female nor there effect local population density on prevalence. These results provide insight into environmental support consumption as most common mechanism infection.