The present study investigated the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and other
intestinal parasites in cats in the Tokachi subprefecture in Japan. A total of 365 household cats
were included in the study, and 353 serum and 351 fecal samples were collected and analyzed. T.
gondii IgG antibodies were detected in the sera of 16.14% of cats based on Latex agglutination
test and ELISA. For ELISA, T. gondii RH strain tachyzoites lysate and T. gondii SAG2 recombinant
protein were used as antigens. Low seropositivity was detected in cats younger than one year and
older than 11 years; outdoor and hunter cats showed significantly high seropositivities. Neutering
either in male or female cats, but not gender, had a considerable effect on seroprevalence.
Toxoplasma gondii oocysts were detected in one fecal sample. The overall parasitic infestation in
cats was 12.5%. Other detected parasites included Toxocara species, which showed the highest
prevalence of 7.7%, followed by Isospora spp. (2%), Taenia spp. (1.7%), and Ancylostoma spp.
(0.9%). Spirometra spp. was detected in only one sample. Outdoor cats comprised 50% of all 44
parasite-infested cats. Although T. gondii oocysts were detected in only one sample, the relatively
high seroprevalence of T. gondii indicated that it can pose significant risks to the environment. Our
findings highlighted the potential of outdoor cats as a source of T. gondii and other parasites