Biology ETDs

Publication Date

12-1974

Abstract

Using the Sabin-Feldman Dye Test, sera from wild and domestic animals in Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines were tested for the prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. The incidence of Toxoplasma in all animals from these areas was: Arizona (19.6%, 11 of 56), Colorado (28.6%, 2 of 7), Montana (41.7%, 73 of 175), New Mexico (31.3%, 178 of 569), Peru (0%, 0 of 3), and the Philip­pines (33.8%, 48 of 142). The overall prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma was 32.7% (312 of 952).

Nine fecal samples from wild felines contained Toxoplasma like oocysts which were experimentally inoculated per os and intraperitoneally into mice. Mice inoculated with six of these samples later showed positive dye test titers and five of these six groups had tissue cysts in brain, liver, mesenteric lymph node and spleen when examined histologically.

Nine of 32 feral dogs (Canis familiaris) from the Cochiti, Isleta, and Laguna Indian Pueblos were found, upon fecal examination, to be infected with a species of Sarcocystis. Serum from one of the positive dogs demonstrated Toxoplasma antibody. This observation suggested a cross-reaction between Toxoplasma and Sarcocystis when testing with the Sabin-Feldman Dye Test. Also, similar inferences were made between Toxoplasma and Fasciola hepatica. Toxoplasma was observed to cross-react with Eimeria nieschulzi but not with Isospora endocallimici, Plasmodium knowlesi, Trypanosoma lweisi, Trichinella spiralis and a strongyloides species.

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Biology

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

UNM Biology Department

First Committee Member (Chair)

Donald Walter Duszynski

Second Committee Member

Clifford S. Crawford

Third Committee Member

Clarence Spear

Fourth Committee Member

Larry Barton

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