The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgG antibodies in dogs and cats from the Czech Republic

Sera of 413 dogs and 286 cats from the Czech Republic were tested for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by the indirect fluorescent antibody test. The IgM antibodies to T. gondii were found in 10 (2.4%) dogs and 8 (2.8%) cats; IgG antibodies were found in 107 (25.9%) dogs and 126 (44.1%) cats. Of the dogs, the most exposed group were pet dogs, followed by police dogs; no antibodies were found in laboratory dogs. No statistically signifi- cant differences in prevalence were observed between clinically healthy (n = 115) and diseased pet dogs (n = 80); compare 0.87% and 1.25% for IgM, and 33.9% and 33.75% for IgG, respectively. Although T. gondii is a common parasite in domestic cats and dogs, the clinical importance is low.