How to translate text using browser tools
28 May 2024 Rapid Point-Of-Care Testing for Detection of Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in Black Vultures and Ring-Billed Gulls from Pennsylvania
Alexa Rosypal von Dohlen, Sydney Randall, Jordyan Grays, Mark A. Dugo, Brian J. Hunt, Justin Brown, Kyle Van Why, Sawsan Ammar, Richard Gerhold
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoan parasite that infects most warm-blooded animals, including birds. Scavenging birds are epidemiologically important hosts because they can serve as indicators of environmental T. gondii levels. A rapid point-of-care (POC) test that detects antibodies to T. gondii in humans is commercially available. In this research, we assessed the ability of the human POC test to detect anti–T. gondii antibodies in 106 black vultures (Coragyps atratus) and 23 ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) from Pennsylvania, USA. Serum samples were tested with the POC test and compared to the modified agglutination test (MAT) in a blinded study. Overall, anti–T. gondii antibodies were detected in 2.8% (3/106) of black vultures and 60.9% (14/23) of ring-billed gulls by the POC test. One false-positive POC test occurred in a black vulture that was negative by MAT. False-negative results were obtained in 2 black vultures and 4 ring-billed gulls that had MAT titers of 1:25 or 1:50. The sensitivity and specificity of the POC for both black vultures and ring-billed gulls combined were 95.7% and 95.5%, respectively. This is the first study using human POC tests to detect antibodies to T. gondii in birds. Further study of the rapid test as a screening tool for serological surveillance of T. gondii in birds is warranted.

Alexa Rosypal von Dohlen, Sydney Randall, Jordyan Grays, Mark A. Dugo, Brian J. Hunt, Justin Brown, Kyle Van Why, Sawsan Ammar, and Richard Gerhold "Rapid Point-Of-Care Testing for Detection of Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in Black Vultures and Ring-Billed Gulls from Pennsylvania," Journal of Parasitology 110(3), 206-209, (28 May 2024). https://doi.org/10.1645/24-24
Published: 28 May 2024
KEYWORDS
antibody
black vulture
Coragyps atratus
Larus delawarensis
Pennsylvania
Ring-billed Gull
Toxoplasma gondii
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top