Toxoplasma gondii, a coccidian parasite, causes one of the most common zoonoses worldwide – toxoplasmosis. The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is one of the potential definitive hosts of T. gondii in Switzerland, besides domestic cats and wildcats. Prevalence of infection in Swiss lynx is currently unknown.
The aim of this study was to assess the role of the lynx as a potential intermediate and final host of T. gondii by determining seroprevalence of T. gondii in the Swiss lynx population, frequency of oocyst shedding, as well as potential risk factors that may favour infection.
Planned investigations include various serologic tests (ELISA, IFAT), Western Blots and histologic and molecular (PCR) examination of different tissues (brain, heart, skeletal muscle).
The publication corresponding to this topic is published: Exploring the epidemiological role of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii - ScienceDirect
Contact: Patrick Scherrer, Walter U. Basso, Marie-Pierre Ryser-Degiorgis
