Shiv K. Verma, Michelle Carstensen, Rafael Calero-Bernal, Seth A. Moore, Tiantian Jiang, Chunlei Su, Jitender P. Dubey

Parasitology Research

Published date October 16, 2015

Seroprevalence, isolation, first genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii, and possible congenital transmission in wild moose from Minnesota, USA

  • States toxoplasma gondii infections (T. gondii) are widespread in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) but little is known of its prevalence in other cervids (a family including deer, elk, moose, reindeer, etc.) in the USA
  • Reports seroprevalence (number in population testing positive), isolation, and genetic characterization of T. gondii from moose (Alces alces) from Minnesota
  • Finds antibodies against T. gondii were detected in 8 of 79 (10 %) moose tested
  • Detects T. gondii in three moose (two adults and one three-weeks-old)
  • Results document prevalence of T. gondii in moose, and its possible transplacental/transmammary transmission of T. gondii in moose