[Serological studies on prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Awassi sheep in Syria].
Survey was conducted in 9 Syrian provinces on clinically healthy Awassi sheep. Serum samples were collected from several districts (more than 47 localities--31 villages and 20 herds). Animals were 1-5 years old. 458 samples were collected in spring 1997 and 352 samples were collected from November 1998 through February 1999. The result indicated that seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii ranged between 0-100% in the herds and 13.8-74.5% between the provinces. And the mean of sero-prevalence was 44.56% in all provinces. The following prevalence were found in as indicated: Idleb 74.46%, Hama 72.16%, Deraa 63.35%, Al-Hssakeh 51.11%, Suweida 46.98%, Homs 40%, area of Damascus 23.48%, Aleppo 17.02% and Deir Ezzor 13.79%. The serological titer was 1:4 for 37.67% to 1:64 for 78.93% of the positive samples. Results showed that there are 29 (8%) of the positive samples with 1:1.000, and only 5 (1.38%) with 1:4.000. It is concluded that the Toxoplasma-infections may be one of the main causes of sheep abortions and as the source of human infection in Syria. Therefore, it is suggested that further epidemical studies are needed.
el-Moukdad
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D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D013593:Syria / Q000453:epidemiology; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan
Serologische Untersuchung über die Prävalenz von Toxoplasma gondii bei Awassi-Schafen in Syrien.