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1 February 2018 Feline Toxoplasmosis: Tumor Necrosis Factor, Nitric Oxide, and Free Radicals in Seropositive Cats
Joice L. M. Faria, Caroline do Couto, Sheron L. Wierzynski, Nathieli B. Bottari, Matheus D. Baldissera, Wanderson A. B. Pereira, Aleksandro S. Da Silva
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Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is a cosmopolitan protozoan that causes disease in several species, including humans. In cats, these infections are usually asymptomatic, but in other species they can lead to high levels of inflammatory and cell damage markers, causing cellular damage. Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nitric oxide (nitrite/nitrate—NOx) in the serum of cats seropositive for T. gondii. Initially, we investigated the presence of antibodies against T. gondii in cats in the city of Concordia, Santa Catarina, Brazil, with the use of indirect immunofluorescence (IFA), and found 30 cats seropositive for T. gondii and 30 seronegative cats. In this study, seropositive cats showed higher levels of TNF-α, ROS, and NOx compared to seronegative cats. Although cats do not show clinical signs of disease, constant inflammatory response can cause cell damage, which over time may adversely affect the animal.

© American Society of Parasitologists 2018
Joice L. M. Faria, Caroline do Couto, Sheron L. Wierzynski, Nathieli B. Bottari, Matheus D. Baldissera, Wanderson A. B. Pereira, and Aleksandro S. Da Silva "Feline Toxoplasmosis: Tumor Necrosis Factor, Nitric Oxide, and Free Radicals in Seropositive Cats," Journal of Parasitology 104(1), 86-88, (1 February 2018). https://doi.org/10.1645/17-85
Published: 1 February 2018
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