Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Cats from Southwest Areas of Albania

Cats are the natural reservoir of Toxoplasma gondii and excrete the resistant oocyst to environments. The Mediterranean climate is favourable for the stable development of many arthropod species, which are incriminated as vectors for various agents. In the present study, the presence of T. gondii antibodies was examined in 138 domestic household referred cats to private animal clinics in Gjirokastra and Tepelena, from October 2012 to January 2014 by modified agglutination test (MAT). T. gondii antibodies were detected in 58 (42 %) cats. The antibody titers in the positive animals ranged from 1:25 to 1:500. Our results show T. gondii is widespread in domestic cats in southwest of Albania. The highest prevalence (48.2 % of 41) was in outdoor cats. The prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in 42% of cats suggests wide-spread contamination of the rural environment with oocysts.