Toxoplasmosis in a Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)
Dorny, P.; Fransen, J.
Veterinary Record 125(26-27): 647
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 2617817 Document Number: 337238
In September 1988 a faecal sample from a 4-month-old male Siberian tiger in a private zoo in Limburg, Belgium with a history of profuse diarrhoea for 14 days was positive for Toxoplasma gondii oocysts. The sample contained 200 000 oocysts/g. The condition of the tiger deteriorated rapidly and 4 days later it was killed. Blood collected before death contained antibodies to T. gondii (1:128). PM examination revealed a diaphragmatic hernia, pneumonia and severe osteoporosis. No oocysts were present in samples of faeces collected PM. Histological examination demonstrated hyperplasia of the cells of the parathyroid, osteoporosis, a slight meningitis, bacterial septicaemia but no asexual or sexual stages of toxoplasma were detected. Mice inoculated with tissue homogenates from the tiger survived and antibodies to T. gondii were absent. Although the clinical condition of the tiger was not due to disseminated toxoplasmosis this is the first report of oocyst shedding of T. gondii in the Siberian tiger.