Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus in Domestic Cats and Their Associations with Clinical Signs.

PURPOSE: Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) induces immunosuppression and may predispose cats to opportunistic infections, including Toxoplasma gondii. Data on natural coinfections in domestic cats remain limited, particularly in Europe.

METHODS

A total of 105 domestic cats from veterinary clinics and shelters in Slovenia and the Czech Republic were examined. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, and FIV antibodies by an immunochromatographic test. Associations with sex, age, housing conditions, and clinical signs were analysed using appropriate statistical tests.

RESULTS

Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 18.1% of cats, FIV antibodies in 10.5%, and coinfection in 4.8%. T. gondii seropositivity was significantly associated with young age, pet ownership, and the presence of clinical signs. FIV seropositivity was more frequent in males, young cats, pet cats, and clinically affected animals. Coinfection was observed more often in males and pet cats. Cats positive for T. gondii and/or FIV exhibited clinical signs significantly more frequently than seronegative cats (68% vs. 35%, p = 0.0036). Coinfected cats tended to present multiple categories of clinical signs more often than monoinfected cats, although this difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence of associations between host factors, T. gondii and FIV seropositivity, and clinical manifestations in naturally infected cats. Despite limitations related to sample size and serological testing, the findings contribute novel data on T. gondii/FIV coinfection in domestic cats in Central Europe.