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Ryser-Degiorgis, M.-P.; Jakubek, E.-B.; af Segerstad, C.H.; Br”jer, C.; M”rner, T.; Jansson, D.S.; Lundren, A.; Uggla, A.
Serological survey of _Toxoplasma gondii_ infection in free-ranging Eurasian lynx (_Lynx lynx_) from Sweden
2006 Journal of Wildlife Diseases (42): 182-187
To investigate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in free-ranging Eurasian lynx (_Lynx lynx_) in Sweden, serosanguinous fluids and feces were collected from 207 carcasses of lynx killed or found dead from 1996 to 1998. Sera were tested for antibodies against _T. gondii _by the direct agglutination test, and 156 (75.4%) of the sera tested positive at antibody titers $40. Antibody prevalence was significantly lower in lynx originating from the northern parts of Sweden than in lynx from the more southern regions that are more densely populated by humans. Age-related differences also were found, with a significantly lower prevalence (55%) in juvenile (,1-yr-old) than in subadult and adult animals (82%). There was no significant difference in seroprevalence between males and females. Oocysts typical of _T. gondii_ were not detected in any of the fecal samples.
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