Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in sera of domestic cats from Guarulhos and Sao Paulo, Brazil

Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were determined in serum samples of 502 domestic cats from Brazil by the modified agglutination test (MAT), using formalin-fixed whole tachyzoites and mercaptoethanol. Antibodies (MAT 1:20) were found in 132 (26.3%) of 502 cats. With respect to origin, antibodies were found in 26.7% of 430 stray cats from Sao Paulo, 10% of 40 stray cats from Guarulhos, and 40.6% of 32 cats from a cat breeder in Sao Paulo. Antibody titers were: 1:20 in 10 cats, 1:25 in 40 cats, 1:50 in 73 cats, and a 1:500 in 9 cats. Exposure rates of T. gondii in cats from Sao Paulo, Brazil are similar to that in domestic cats in North America.