Serum antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in southeast Queensland dugongs

Abstract

The dugong ( Dugong dugon ) is an herbivorous marine mammal that inhabits tropical inshore waters and thus may be vulnerable to pollutants and terrestrial pathogens as a result of coastal runoff. In this study, serum samples collected from live, wild dugongs ( n = 114) in an embayment located on the urbanized southeast Queensland coast of Australia during 2008–2014, were measured for IgG antibody levels specific to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum . An ELISA used to measure T. gondii tachyzoite antibodies indicated a non‐Gaussian distribution of antibody level, with five dugongs identified as high outliers. Mean levels of antibodies specific for T. gondii in dugongs sampled in 2014 were significantly higher than in 2010 ( p = .006) and 2011 ( p = .009) with an elevation in mean antibody levels after a major 2011 flood event relative to antibody levels prior to the flood ( p N. caninum antibody indicated a normal distribution of antibody with no high outliers. Mean antibody level for N. caninum was highest in 2012 and declined significantly in 2014 ( p = .004). This is the first survey of antibodies directed against T. gondii and N. caninum in dugongs and suggests future health monitoring of this species.

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