Toxoplasmosis in sheep from Kurdistan province, Iran

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most threatening parasitic zoonoses in Iran. The causative agent, Toxoplasma gondii, uses a wide range of warm-blooded intermediate hosts in its life cycle, including sheep. This study was conducted on the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep from different regions of Kurdistan Province from December 2008 to September 2009. The main risk factors associated with the infection were analyzed. Sera was extracted from 368 sheep and examined for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies by indirect ELISA test. According to results, the seropositive rates of sheep were 21.74%. Significant statistical differences were found between different geographical locations. For example central and southern provinces had the highest infection rates with 35.56% being infected, whilst western areas has the lowest infection rates with only 13.25%. Antibodies were detected in 20.87% of males and 22.13% of female sheep but no significant differences between sexes were found. Also, no significant differences between age groups were observed. The results indicated that the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep is relatively high.