Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic animals in Pakistan.
The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infections among food animals in South-West Pakistan was measured by serological examination using a commercial latex agglutination test (LAT). In all 262 blood samples, from 100 cattle, 40 sheep, 58 goats and 64 chickens, were collected from the city abattoir. Titers considered diagnostically significant (> or = 1:64) were detected in 25% of cattle and 2.5% of sheep. None of the goats and chickens presented seropositivity for anti-toxoplasma antibodies. The study suggests the need for further investigations to determine the impact of these findings on the human population.
Zaki
M
M
Department of Microbiology, Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi.
D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000469:parasitology*; D002417:Cattle; D002645:Chickens / Q000469:parasitology; D005523:Food Supply; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D012418:Ruminants / Q000469:parasitology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology*