Evaluation of sero-prevalence of toxoplasma gondii infection insheep using different immunodiagnostic methods

Abstract

The main aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep of seven different regions of District Dir (Lower), Pakistan. Lateral Flow Chromatographic Immunoassay (LFCI), Latex Agglutination Test (LAT) and Enzyme-Linked immunosorbentAssay (ELISA) were used for the detection of T.gondii infection in sheep.Out of 175 sheepsera samples analyzed, 72 (41.14%) were found positive for T. gondii antibodies. Overall prevalence in sheep indicated highest infection at Khall (48%), followed by Samarbagh (44%), LalQilla (44%), Adenzai (44%),Balambat (40%), Timergara (36%), and lowest in Munda (32%). The occurrence of T. gondii infection in older sheep was higher (48.42%) than younger ones (32.5%), indicating older sheep to be more susceptible to toxoplasmosis as compared to younger ones. The prevalence rate in female sheep was higher (42.4%) as compared to male sheep (38%). This study demonstrates that older female sheep have low immunity to toxoplasmosis. The present study showed that infected sheep might be a probable risk for human toxoplasmosis. Therefore, proper measures should be taken to control and avoid toxoplasmosis in sheep in this region.