Elsevier

The Veterinary Journal

Volume 174, Issue 2, September 2007, Pages 422-424
The Veterinary Journal

Short Communication
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered for food in Mazandaran province, Iran, during 2005

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2006.07.004Get rights and content

Abstract

Serum samples from 290 cattle, 400 goats and 588 sheep slaughtered for food in various areas of the Mazandaran province, Iran were tested for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), from December 2004 to April 2005. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 30% (120/400) goats and 35% (206/588) sheep and 0% (0/290) cattle, at a dilution of 1:16 or more for goats and sheep and 1:128 or more for cattle. The highest titres observed in cattle, goats and sheep were 1:64 (0.7%), 1:128 (1%), 1:64 (2%), respectively. These results indicate that T. gondii antibodies are widespread in the animal populations and suggest that toxoplasmosis is a widely spread zoonotic infection in northern Iran.

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Acknowledgements

This research was made possible by grants received from the Research Deputy of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The authors thank Dr. Abolghasem Ajami and Mr. Oraz Mohammad Mirabi for their kind assistance.

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