A comparison of antiserum and protein A as secondary reagents to assess Toxoplasma gondii antibody titers in cats and spotted hyenas

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dc.contributor.authorWait, L.
dc.contributor.authorSrour, A.
dc.contributor.authorSmith, I.
dc.contributor.authorCassey, P.
dc.contributor.authorSims, S.
dc.contributor.authorMcAllister, M.
dc.date.issued2015
dc.description.abstractToxoplasma gondii is a protozoal parasite with worldwide distribution that is able to infect a wide variety of mammals and birds. Our main goal was to screen for T. gondii antibody titers in a previously untested species, the spotted hyena ( Crocuta crocuta); however, this goal first required us to investigate serological procedures that could be suitable for hyenas. Cats are the closest domestic relations of hyenas, so T. gondii antibody titers were first compared in 26 feral cats with specific or nonspecific fluorophore-labeled secondary reagents, i.e., anti-cat IgG or protein A. Substitution of anti-cat IgG with protein A caused a statistically significant drop in titer measurements in cats (P = 0.01) with a reduction of the geometric mean titer equivalent to 1 doubling-dilution. The same procedures were then applied to captive spotted hyenas. Titers measured in 9 of 10 hyenas were identical whether anti-cat IgG or protein A was used as the secondary reagent: 5 had titers <1:16, 2 had titers of 1:16, and 2 had titers of 1:32. One hyena had maximum titers of 1:64 or 1:32 when anti-cat IgG or protein A was used, respectively. The use of protein A as the secondary reagent in serologic assays can be applied to a range of mammalian species and seems unlikely to affect test specificity; however, the use of protein A may reduce test sensitivity, as suggested in the present study using cats. Despite a control program, some exposure to T. gondii had occurred in the Zoo's spotted hyenas.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityL.F. Wait, A. Srour, I.G. Smith, P. Cassey, S.K. Sims, and M.M. McAllister
dc.identifier.citationJournal of Parasitology, 2015; 101(3):390-392
dc.identifier.doi10.1645/14-705.1
dc.identifier.issn0022-3395
dc.identifier.issn1937-2345
dc.identifier.orcidSmith, I. [0000-0003-3813-2917]
dc.identifier.orcidCassey, P. [0000-0002-2626-0172]
dc.identifier.orcidMcAllister, M. [0000-0001-5457-2678]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/95682
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherAmerican Society of Parasitologists
dc.rights© American Society of Parasitologists 2015
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1645/14-705.1
dc.subjectAnimals
dc.subjectCats
dc.subjectHyaenidae
dc.subjectToxoplasma
dc.subjectToxoplasmosis, Animal
dc.subjectCat Diseases
dc.subjectStaphylococcal Protein A
dc.subjectImmunoglobulin G
dc.subjectImmune Sera
dc.subjectAntibodies, Protozoan
dc.subjectFluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
dc.subjectEnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
dc.subjectSensitivity and Specificity
dc.subjectHost Specificity
dc.titleA comparison of antiserum and protein A as secondary reagents to assess Toxoplasma gondii antibody titers in cats and spotted hyenas
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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