Serological Prevalence of Toxoplasmosis in Meat Producing Animals

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease, caused by cosmopolitan coccidian Parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. One of the most important sources of human infection is feeding from raw or uncooked meat of infected animals. In this study the prevalence of toxoplasmic infection in three important meat producing animals in Iran was studied. Methods: Using indirect immunoflourcent antibody assay (IFA), 483 serum samples of goats, sheep and cattle from industrial slaughterhouse of Kermanshah, western Iran were tested for total antibodies against T. gondii. Results: Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 23.7% of goats, 22.5% of sheep and 4.8 % of cattle at titer of ≥1:20. The highest titers observed in goats, sheep and cattle were 1: 2560, 1: 1280 and 1: 640, respectively. Conclusion: It is suggested that feeding of raw or undercooked meat of goats and sheep is important in transmition of toxoplasmic infection to human in Kermanshah district.