Seropositividad a Toxoplasma gondii en Felis catus del municipio Güines, Mayabeque, Cuba

Toxoplasmosis is an important zoonosis due to its impact on human and animal health. Toxoplasma gondii is the causal agent of this disease. This protozoan has a complex biological cycle in which felines are the definitive hosts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the seropositivity to T. gondii in cats from Guines municipality, Mayabeque province, as well as to characterize the breeding practices of their owners and determine the main clinical symptoms in seropositive cats. . Thirty cats (19 females and 11 males) were studied. A total of 96.7 % (29/30) were seropositive to T. gondii , with no significant differences between sexes. The survey showed that 86.6 % (26/30) of the animals lived with other cats and went out on the streets daily. In addition, 52.6 % females and 100 % males were not sterilized. Paleness of visible mucous membranes was the most frequently observed sign (12/29, 41.37 %) in seropositive cats. It is concluded that there is a high frequency of positivity to Toxoplasma gondii in cats from Guines municipality, favored by certain breeding practices which increase the risk of exposure to T. gondii , benefit the dispersion of the protozoan and even represent the insufficient knowledge of their owners to adopt preventive measures against zoonosis. From the clinical signs observed, there is a need to improve tenure systems with implications for human and animal health and welfare, based on the One Health approach.