Abstract
A cross-sectional prevalence study was performed for anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using the Modified Agglutination Test (MAT) in 495 wild pigeons (Columba livia) captured from various locations in Israel. Seropositivity was found in 20/495 (4%) of the birds. Pigeon samples in regions of semi-arid climate had higher T. gondii seropositivity (p = 0.033), amount of precipitation was inversely proportional to seropositivity (p = 0.005), seropositivity was inversely related to the size of the nearest human community (p = 0.012), and seropositivity was inversely related to the proximity of water flow (p = 0.013). The study results highlight the widespread environmental contamination of T. gondii and suggest that pigeons may serve as sentinels for the environmental spread of this parasite.
Original language | American English |
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Pages (from-to) | 145-149 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Veterinary Parasitology |
Volume | 165 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 28 Oct 2009 |
Keywords
- Israel
- Pigeons
- Toxoplasma gondii