Prevalence of agglutinating antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), opossums (Didelphis virginiana), and raccoons (Procyon lotor) from Connecticut

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Date
2006-06
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Society of Parasitology
Abstract

The prevalence of agglutinating antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii was examined in striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), opossums (Didelphis virginiana), and raccoons (Procyon lotor) from 8 cities in Connecticut. Ten (42%) of the 24 striped skunks, 2 of 7 (29%) opossums, and 12 of 12 (100%) raccoons were positive at dilutions of 1:50 or greater. These results suggest that T. gondii is prevalent in the environment, or prey items, or both, of these omnivores in Connecticut.

Description
Keywords
mammals, wild, iowa, parasitology
Citation
Sheila M. Mitchell, Dennis J. Richardson, and David S. Lindsay (2006). "Prevalence of Agglutinating Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in Striped Skunks (Mephitis mephitis), Opossums (Didelphis virginiana), and Raccoons (Procyon lotor) From Connecticut," Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 92, No. 3, pp. 664-665. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1645/GE-800R.1