Cat Toxoplasma IgM ELISA Kit

Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, is an intracellular, ubiquitous tissue parasite. The final hosts of the pathogen are domestic cats and other felids. In felids as final hosts, the sexual development, and as in other intermediate hosts, the asexual development of Toxoplasma gondii takes place. Over 200 species of bird and mammals, including humans and farm animals such as pigs, cattle and sheep are known as intermediate hosts worldwide. In intermediate hosts only asexual reproduction of the pathogen by endodyogeny takes place. Cats and other felids are usually infected with Toxoplasma gondii by ingesting bradyzoites in tissue cysts in the meat of infected prey or by ingesting oocysts. Oocysts are excreted with the feces of felids. The excreted oocysts become infectious after a maturation period of about 2-5 days (sporulation). They are extremely resistant and can remain infectious in moist soil for several months to years. In the course of infection with Toxoplasma gondii, tissue cysts form in the muscles, internal organs, retina and brain of the host. They represent an intracellular form of the parasites.

Symptoms in cats:

In cats, infection is usually asymptotic. During an approximately two to three weeks excretion phase of oocysts, there are occasional non-specific symptoms such as mild diarrhea, swelling of the lymph nodes and an increase in body temperature. In immunosuppressed cats (e.g. diseases of FIP, FeLV and FIV) symptoms such as fever, difficulty breathing, pneumonia, gastrointestinal disease, hepatitis, eye disorders or central nervous system disorders occur more often. Extremely severe courses are often seen in intrauterine infected kitten. These usually lead to the death of the animals very quickly. Cats are relevant for zoonotic excretion of oocysts. 

Symptoms in dogs:

In dogs, only extraintestinal development of Toxoplasma gondii occurs. Oocysts are not excreted, as in cats. Older dogs show little symptoms after infection. Initial infections of pregnant bitches can lead to abortion or cause generalized or central nervous symptoms in the puppies immediately after birth. Infected dogs exhibit no zoonotic risk to humans. Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common zoonoses. Humans may become accidental infected by ingestion of oocysts excreted by the cat, e.g. infected while gardening or by eating raw or underheated meat from infected animals (e.g. raw sausage). An initial infection with Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy is dangerous. If the pathogen is able to enter fetal tissue, it can cause severe damage to the fetus and cause a miscarriage. The reactivation of an existing infection in immunosuppressed people can cause serious disease or even death. Evidence of the pathogen: • Antibody detection using an immunofluorescence test or ELISA • Microscopic detection of pathogens in tissue or fecal samples • Detection by means of polymerase chain reaction in tissue samples or fecal samples