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Journal
Publications
Kutz S.J., B. T. Elkin, D. Panayi and J. P.
Dubey. 2001. Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Barren-Ground
Caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) From the Canadian Arctic. The
Journal of Parasitology. Vol. 87, No. 2. pp 439-4561
ABSTRACT:
Prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii
was determined in 147 barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus
groenlandicus) from 5 herds in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut,
northern Canada,
by the modified agglutination test (MAT). In the mainland herds (Bluenose,
Bathurst, and Beverly), antibodies were found in 43 (37%) of 117 caribou,
and MAT titers were 1:25 in 10, 1:50 in 24, and 1:500
in 9. In the island herds, only 1 (4.3%) of 23 animals sampled from the
North Baffin Island herd was positive (titer 5 1:25) and no antibodies were
detected in 7 caribou from the Dolphin and Union herd. The high prevalence
of antibodies to T. gondii in the mainland caribou herds indicates that
caribou meat may contain viable T. gondii. |
