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Summary
Toxoplasmosis occurred in a mother cat and her kittens, with mild symptoms and positive antibody tests. The cat and kittens shed Toxoplasma gondii oocysts, indicating likely transplacental infection.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Feline Infectious Diseases
- Protozoology
Context:
- Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is a significant zoonotic disease.
- Feline infections are crucial for understanding parasite transmission dynamics.
- Congenital transmission in mammals, including cats, is a known but less frequently documented route.
Purpose:
- To document a case of toxoplasmosis in a domestic cat and her litter.
- To characterize clinical signs, serological responses, and oocyst shedding in affected felines.
- To investigate the transmission route, suspecting congenital infection.
Summary:
- A domestic cat and her three kittens presented with mild clinical signs including bristled hair, conjunctivitis, sneezing, and lymph node enlargement.
- Serological tests (Sabin-Feldman, complement fixation, microprecipitation) confirmed Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in all animals.
- Oocysts were shed in feces by the mother cat and two kittens; experimental inoculation of mice confirmed the presence of the parasite, supporting transplacental infection.
Impact:
- Highlights the potential for clinical toxoplasmosis in young cats and their mothers.
- Emphasizes the importance of diagnostic testing in suspected cases, even with subtle symptoms.
- Provides evidence supporting congenital transmission as a significant infection route in feline toxoplasmosis, impacting disease control and prevention strategies.