Prevalence of serum antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in free-ranging cats on Tokunoshima Island, Japan

A study on Tokunoshima Island, Japan, reveals a high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among free-ranging cats, with 47.2% testing positive for antibodies against the parasite. The research, conducted using serum samples from 125 cats, found significantly higher seropositivity rates (57.4%) in cats weighing over 2.0 kg compared to smaller cats (12.5%). Additionally, infected cats were detected across 17 of 23 settlements on the island, indicating widespread distribution. This is the first study to document T. gondii prevalence in free-ranging cats on Tokunoshima Island, providing critical data for preventing transmission among animals and humans.

SHOSHI, Y., KAZATO, K., MAEDA, T., TAKASHIMA, Y., WATARI, Y., MATSUMOTO, Y., MIYASHITA, T., & SANJOBA, C. (2021). Prevalence of serum antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in free-ranging cats on Tokunoshima Island, Japan. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 83(2), 333–337. https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.20-0512