Antibody prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Arabian gazelles and oryx in Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

We determined the antibody prevalence of toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii infections) in antelopes in Saudi Arabia. Serum samples from 324 Gazella subgutturosa marica, 202 Gazella gazella, 70 Gazella dorcas, and 12 Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) were tested by the indirect hemagglutination test. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 13(4.0%) G. subgutturosa marica, 12(5.9%) G. gazella, 3(4.3%) G. dorcas, and in none of the Arabian oryx sampled. More adult gazelles were seropositive than juveniles; males and females were similar. The highest reciprocal antibody titer recorded (262,144) was in a G. subgutturosa marica serum.