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The occurrence of Toxoplasma antibodies in domestic outpatient cats in the city of Sao Paulo was evaluated using the indirect immunofluorescence assay.

A total of 248 blood samples obtained from male and female cats seen at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the University of Sao Paulo between February 1996 and January 1997 were tested. Of these, 17.7% were positive, with a 64 titer being detected in most animals.

The frequence of Toxoplasma antibodies was significantly higher in older cats, those fed raw meat and those with free access to the outdoor environment. There was no significant difference in reactivity between males and females. We conclude that diet and free access to the outdoor environment were equally important as predisposing factors to the risk of Toxoplasma infection.

INTRODUCTION

Felids play a major role in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis, since they are the definitive hosts of Toxoplasma gondii. Cats are also the only domestic animals in which the parasite completes the sexual stage of the life cycle, producing oocysts that are excreted in the feces and infect other hosts9.

According to FRENKEL, 1973" and AMATO et al., 1982', toxoplasmosis is a major public health concern, because this zoonosis is an important cause of neonatal defects such as microcephaly, hydrocephaly, brain calcifications, and psychomotor and mental retardation. This makes the primary infection of pregnant women and, consequently, the transplacental infection of the fetus the most important aspect of human toxoplasmosis.

In general, indoor cats become infected by ingesting tissue cysts found in raw meat, while wild cats become infected after weaning, when they start hunting for small rodents and birds*'3.

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