Prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in ostriches (Struthio camelus)

Serum samples from 973 ostriches (Struthio camelus) in Canada were examined for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by the modified agglutination test incorporating mercaptoethanol and formalin-fixed whole tachyzoites. Twenty-eight (2.9%) of the 973 birds were found to be seropositive for antibodies to T. gondii at titers of 1:25 in 15 birds, 1:50 in 12 birds, and 1:500 in 1 bird. This is the first record of T. gondii exposure in ostriches, and it supports the hypothesis that all avian species are susceptible to Toxoplasma infection. Nevertheless, the results of this study suggest that the risk of acquiring toxoplasmosis from ostriches as a food source is low.