Detection of toxoplasma gondii using immunocomb feline antibody test kit and hematological examinations and fecalysis of captive common palm civet in selected areas of Cavite by Glenn D. Romilla.

Thesis (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) Cavite State University.

Includes bibliographical references.

College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VETMET)

ROMILLA, GLENN A. Cavite State University, Indang Cavite. April 2007. Detection of Toxoplasma gond"' Using ImmunoComb® Feline Antibody Test Kit and Hematological Examination and Fecalysis of Captive Common Palm Civet [Paradoxurus hermaphroditus (Pallas, 1777)] in Selected Areas of Cavite. Adviser: Dr. Raymond Martin F. Serrano, DVM.
This study was done to determine the presence of antibody titer against Toxoplasma gondii using ImmunoComb® feline antibody test kit in captive common palm civet in selected areas of Cavite; from Cavite City Zoological and Botanical Garden, Indang, Cavite and Residence Inn Zoo in Tagaytay City. A total of twelve captive common palm civets were used. The animals were selected irregardless of age, sex and bodyweight and health status. Among the three selected areas a total of 12 blood samples were obtained and 6 of them were detected sero-positive for the antibody against Toxoplasma gondii, with the prevalence rate of 50%. This study showed that the highest titer was noted from the sample obtained from the Cavite City Zoo at 1:32 , one sample from Indang showed a titer of 1:16 and other sero- positive in the test with the titer of <1:16. The results indicate previous or active Toxoplasma gondii infection in common palm civet. The mean RBC count in sero-positive civets was lower than those of the sero-negative animals. The mean WBC count of sero-positive animals was relatively higher than those sero-negative animals. However, comparison of these values with the average WBC counts of domestic cat and mongoose may suggest that leukocytosis was not observed in the common palm civets.
The mean PCV of sero-positive samples was slightly lower than sero-negative. Compared to domestic cats with that of mongoose both PCV of both sero-positive and sero-negative animals are slightly higher attributed to many factors such as stress, fear, fatigue and tension in restraining during blood collection. Mean neutrophil count of sero-positive was higher among those that tested negative. The mean eosinophil count of sero-positive samples was higher than the sero-negative samples. The sero-negative samples have higher lymphocyte count compared to the mean lymphocyte count of sero-positive samples. The mean monocyte of sero-positive samples was slightly higher than sero-negative samples attributed to the concurrent infection. The result of the hematologic profile determination apparently bears no relationship to the titer and the sero-prevalence rate noted in this study. The results of the differential leukocyte count do not suggest significant differences among the blood samples analyzed. However, the variation in the prevalence rate in selected areas of Cavite, from Residence Inn Zoo at Tagaytay were the highest, and it implies that there is a higher risk of transmission or shedding of infective oocyst in the area. Fecalysis showed negative results in Sugar Flotation Technique and direct fecal examination for the evaluation of oocyst in the sero-positive samples in the antibody test kit. To prevent infection in humans of Toxoplasma gondii, should practice washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling meat because water could kill the
stages of Toxoplasma gondii that are found in meat. Pregnant women should avoid contact with feces, soil, and uncooked meat. Expectant mothers should be aware of the dangers of toxoplasmosis Awareness of consumption of meat of the common palm civet should be restricted due to the possibility that they may exhibit Toxoplasma gondii infection. In wildlife recreation, dissemination of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts should be prevented because of the high risk of exposure in humans most especially children. To prevent infection of zoo animals with Toxoplasma gondii, strayed cats should be control, good personal hygiene of the zookeepers and proper disposal of feces of the animals are important.

Submitted to the University Library 04-10-2007 T-3473