EPIDEMIOLOGY OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII INFECTION OF STRAY CATS IN BANGKOK, THAILAND

The objective of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of toxo- plasmosis in stray cats in Bangkok. Sera were collected during 2006 and examined by Sabin-Feldman dye test. Five hundred sixty-four male and 926 female cats in and around monasteries from 50 districts were collected. Toxoplasma gondii was detected in 72 (4.8%) of 1,490 cats. The prevalence was significantly higher in fe- males (5.6%) than in males (3.6%). Cats more than 5 years old had the highest infection rate (5.1%). Fifty-six percent (28/50) of areas were positive for T. gondii in cats. Our results show T. gondii is widespread in stray cats in Bangkok. It is essen- tial to control the number of stray cats in order to reduce the transmission of toxo- plasmosis to animals and humans.