DETECTION OF AGGLUTINATING ANTIBODIES TO TOXOPLASMA-GONDII IN SERA FROM FREE-RANGING EASTERN BARRED BANDICOOTS (PERAMELES GUNNII)

Sera from 150 eastern barred bandicoots (Perameles gunnii) were collec ted from two study sites in southern Tasmania between 1992 and 1995. S amples were tested for antibodies to the protozoan parasite, Toxoplasm a gondii, using formalin-treated tachyzoites as the antigen in direct (DAT) and modified agglutination tests (MAT). Cut-off titers were set based on confirmed cases of toxoplasmosis in this species. A total of 133 animals (89%) were classified as negative, seven (4.6%) had suspic ious reactions, and 10 (6.7%) were diagnosed as positive. Five of the 10 positive animals were not retrapped after initial seroconversion; a nother three animals recorded high MAT titers on two consecutive bleed ings, three months apart. Of the remaining two seropositive bandicoots , one was found dead in a trap and generalized toxoplasmosis was diagn osed at necropsy, while the other animal had central nervous system di sabilities consistent with toxoplasmosis but was accidently released a nd never recaptured. Based on these findings we propose that eastern b arred bandicoots are likely to be highly susceptible to primary T. gon dii infection.