Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infections in Pennsylvania black bears, Ursus americanus

J Wildl Dis. 1993 Oct;29(4):599-601. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-29.4.599.

Abstract

Serum samples from 665 hunter-killed black bears killed in 1989 to 1992 throughout Pennsylvania (USA) were tested for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies by the agglutination test in dilutions of 1:25, 1:50, and 1:500. Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were found in 535 of 665 (80%) bears. Considering the highest dilutions at which antibodies were detected, prevalences were 10% at 1:25, 37% at 1:50 and 33% at 1:500. No significant difference in antibody prevalence was found between males (79%) and females (80%), but a significant difference was found between juvenile (65%) and adult (83%) bears.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Agglutination Tests
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Female
  • Male
  • Pennsylvania / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Toxoplasma / immunology*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / epidemiology*
  • Ursidae / parasitology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan