Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in goats at the Kumasi abattoir, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Livestock are critical to rural incomes, nutrition and food security in much of Africa. The impact of endemic diseases stems from direct losses due to mortality and indirect effects from slow growth, low fertility and morbidity related reductions in productivity among young animals and reproductive females. This study investigated the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii of slaughtered goats at the Kumasi abattoir. Methods & Materials: A 2 cm x 1 cm tissue section was obtained from the diaphragm of 100 goats slaughtered at the Kumasi abattoir for histological processing, examination and grading of toxoplasmosis lesion in the muscle. The predisposing factors were evaluated from the signalment taken from the abattoir record. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi square and ANOVA at α=0.05. Results: The lesion comprised myositis with mononuclear leukocytic infiltration, myofiber necrosis, and myofiber atrophy and thin-walled cysts in the muscle. There was 42% prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the goats. The male goats were mostly affected by T gondii. It was high in adult goats (2 years old) whilst goats with age less than 2 years recorded the least prevalence. The Sahelian breed of goats had a high prevalence (29%) of T gondii infection as compared to the West African Dwarf Goat (23%). Conclusion: T gondii was detected in goats for the first time in Ghana with a prevalence of 42%. There is need for comprehensive epidemiological and molecular studies for the development of specific measures to prevent Toxoplasmosis and reduce its associated losses.