Based on the results of research, new data on the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Ukraine and, in particular, in the Odesa region was obtained. Specific immunoglobulin G was detected in the blood serum of productive animals. In particular, among cattle the prevalence of the causative agent of toxoplasmosis according to serological studies was 19.4%, among the red steppe breed the prevalence was 2.8 times lower, than among the Holstein breed. In sheep of the Tsigay breed, the prevalence was set at the level of 67.6%. Among stray cats, the prevalence was 68.8% (95% confidence interval 49-87), and among domestic cats - 24.4% (95% confidence interval 17.7-30.3). According to the results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, 31.7% (95% confidence interval 29.3-32.7) of homeless dogs had a positive reaction to the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, 22% (95% confidence interval 21.1-22.9) – of domestic dogs.
No reliable difference in prevalence of the causative agent of toxoplasmosis was established depending on gender. The dependence of the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii on the season of the year among dogs and cats and depending on the breed in cattle is statistically probable.
Based on the results of experimental and clinical studies, it was established that clinical signs of toxoplasmosis were present in 39.7% of dogs with an average value of immunoglobulin G titers (by indirect solid phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) in blood serum of 1.46±0.17 IU/ml and in 33.3 % of cats with a titer of 3.0±0.29 IU/ml are characterized by skin lesions. Manifestation of lesions of the nervous system due to toxoplasmosis was reliably (p<0.05) accompanied by high titers of IgG than in other clinical manifestations. It was established that dogs that reacted positively to the causative agent of toxoplasmosis had significantly (p<0.05) higher content of ALT and AST enzymes in their blood serum, 30% more than those that reacted negatively. Cats whose blood serum was positive for Toxoplasma gondii by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay had 40% more (p<0.05) high urea content and 24.7% more creatinine content in blood serum. Analysis of indicators of immunograms of seropositive cats and dogs showed a significant and reliable (p<0.01) decrease in the phagocytic activity of neutrophils in toxoplasmosis-positive dogs, which was 2.258±0.232 G/l compared to 3.98±0.74 G/l in dogs with negative serological results. Regulatory populations of T-lymphocytes, namely T-suppressor (cytotoxic) lymphocytes were 2.9 times smaller, and T-helper - 1.7 times smaller in dogs, which, according to the results of a serological examination, were found to be positively reactive to the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, than in negatively responders.
New data on the detection of Toxoplasma gondii in cattle and sheep carcass samples depending on the group of muscles and organs was obtained. Thus, average titer of antibodies in cattle in samples of meat juice of diaphragm muscles was 51.0 IU/ml, in sheep – 54.3 IU/ml. In samples of thigh muscles in cattle, the corresponding indicator was on average 51.8 IU/ml, in sheep - 53.2 IU/ml. Based on the results of experimental and clinical studies, it was established that plasmapheresis has a positive effect on activity of transaminases ALT and AST in the blood plasma of dogs. Thus, already after the first procedure, enzyme activity is reduced by approximately half and returns to physiological limits.
Physiologically adequate changes in the immunoreactivity of the body of cats after the introduction of "Trifuzol" should be considered. The dynamics of the absolute number of subpopulations of lymphocytes showed that the number of T-lymphocytes practically did not undergo quantitative changes during the experiment, and the population of B-lymphocytes tended to increase. The population of natural killers, which was 17.7% (p<0.001), had a more pronounced tendency to increase. Also, the absolute number of neutrophilic granulocytes capable of phagocytosis increased by 21.6% (p<0.01). It has been proven that during the treatment of toxoplasmosis in dogs and cats, the use of the immunotropic pharmacological agent "Trifuzol" is justified. The dynamics of biochemical blood parameters in cats during the treatment period showed that with use of "Trifuzol" in the scheme of treatment of skin manifestations of toxoplasmosis in cats for 28 days, the content of ALT decreased from 131.2±16.41 Units/l to 52.4±7.36 Units/l, i.e. to physiological limits. The use of this drug in the scheme of treatment of toxoplasmosis in dogs allows to achieve complete remission in 71.4% of dogs and minimize number of complications to 14.3%.
A scheme for the prevention of toxoplasmosis in cats was proposed. Also, a protocol for the treatment of toxoplasmosis in dogs and cats was proposed for doctors of veterinary clinics, taking into account peculiarities of clinical manifestation, immunophysiological state and biochemical profile.
