Infectious Diseases

Question 1

Describe the life cycle of Toxoplasma Gondii

Answer 1

It’s definitive host is the cat, whole life cycle can take place in a cat, only species to shed oocytes. Intermediate hosts can consume oocytes and have cysts. Eating these cysts can give a previously uninfected cat, the infection. She’d in faeces for 14 days, sporulate after 5. Before this time, oocytes are not infectious.

Question 2

How is FeLV tested for?

Answer 2

ELISA: free p27 antigen in blood
PCR: provirus, can quantify it, so better at distinguishing between transient and progressive infections

Question 3

How can you test for FIV?

Answer 3

ELISA: antibodies to gp40/p24
PCR: provirus

Question 4

What disease only gives clinical signs in foals, but is contracted from the environment/mares faeces? Clinical signs are seen after 6 weeks…

Answer 4

Rhodococci Equi infection