The common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) has well adapted to increasing urbanization, resulting in greater interaction with humans and their domestic pets. Wildlife species in urban areas face a higher risk of exposure to zoonotic pathogens and may be affected by parasites hosted by cats (Toxoplasma gondii) or dogs (Neospora caninum), yet it is unknown to what extent urban T. vulpecula are exposed to these parasites. Antibodies to T. gondii and N. caninum were assayed in sera of 142 adult possums from the city of Sydney, Australia. Using the modified agglutination test, antibodies to T. gondii were found in 9 (6.3%) of the 142 animals in titers of 1:25 (4), 1:50 (1), 1:100 (1), 1:800 (1), 1:3,200 (1), 1:6,400 (1), and 1:12,800 (1). Of some T. vulpecula multiple sera samples within a 2-yr frame could be collected, but seropositive animals in general were not recaptured after initial seroconversion. One possum had a high T. gondii titer on 2 consecutive bleedings, 14 mo apart, and seropositive possums appeared normal when captured. Sex seemed not to have an affect on antibody prevalence, but age and location may play a role. Antibodies to N. caninum were not detected in 1:25 dilution of sera in the N. caninum agglutination test, indicating that T. vulpecula may not have been exposed to this parasite. This is the first serological survey for T. gondii and N. caninum infections in urban T. vulpecula.
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April 2006
Research Article|
April 01 2006
SEROLOGIC SURVEY FOR TOXOPLASMA GONDII AND NEOSPORA CANINUM IN THE COMMON BRUSHTAIL POSSUM (TRICHOSURUS VULPECULA) FROM URBAN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Jutta Eymann;
Jutta Eymann
Macquarie University, Department of Biological Sciences, North Ryde, New South Wales 2109, Australia. jdubey@anri.barc.usda.gov
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Catherine A. Herbert;
Catherine A. Herbert
Macquarie University, Department of Biological Sciences, North Ryde, New South Wales 2109, Australia. jdubey@anri.barc.usda.gov
* University of New South Wales, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Sydney, NSW 2052 Australia
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Desmond W. Cooper;
Desmond W. Cooper
Macquarie University, Department of Biological Sciences, North Ryde, New South Wales 2109, Australia. jdubey@anri.barc.usda.gov
* University of New South Wales, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Sydney, NSW 2052 Australia
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J. P. Dubey
J. P. Dubey
Macquarie University, Department of Biological Sciences, North Ryde, New South Wales 2109, Australia. jdubey@anri.barc.usda.gov
† USDA, ARS, ANRI, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, BARC-East, Bldg. 1001, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
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J Parasitol (2006) 92 (2): 267–272.
Citation
Jutta Eymann, Catherine A. Herbert, Desmond W. Cooper, J. P. Dubey; SEROLOGIC SURVEY FOR TOXOPLASMA GONDII AND NEOSPORA CANINUM IN THE COMMON BRUSHTAIL POSSUM (TRICHOSURUS VULPECULA) FROM URBAN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA. J Parasitol 1 April 2006; 92 (2): 267–272. doi: https://doi.org/10.1645/GE-709R.1
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