Environmental determinants of spatial and temporal variations in the transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in its definitive hosts.

ABSTRACT: Toxoplasmosis is a major zoonosis, and its prevention requires multiple approaches due to the complex life-cycle of its causative agent, Toxoplasma gondii. Environmental contamination by oocysts is a key factor in the transmission of T. gondii to both humans and meat-producing animals; however, its spatial and temporal variations are poorly understood. We analysed the distribution of T. gondii seropositivity in a sample of 210 cats, including the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris), the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) and their hybrids that were collected in Central and Eastern France between 1996 and 2006. We searched for spatial variability among communes and temporal variations among years to relate this variability to landscape and meteorological conditions, which can

SUBMITTER: Afonso E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3862504 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature