title: Seroprevalence of T. gondii in sheep from Marrakech, Morocco.
abstract: Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous intracellular protozoan parasite transmitted by food. Concerning this parasite, there are few studies done in Morocco. In this study, 261 sera from sheep intended for consumption in Marrakech were subjected to the Toxoplasma ELISA based serology test for the detection of anti-T. gondii specific IgG confirming a past infection. Of the total tested 72 (27.6%) sera were positive for IgG. This result shows that the seroprevalence approaches the world average and is similar to what is found in other cities of Morocco. This has prompted us to investigate other animal species in the region in order to evaluate the degree of contamination by this parasite as well as the potential risk incurred on consumption of their meat.
authors.affiliation: UFR de Biologie et Santé, Faculté des Sciences Semlalia, Marrakech, Morocco.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sawadogo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hafid
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bellete
authors.forename: R Tran Manh
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chakdi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Flori
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Raberin
authors.forename: I Bent
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Hamouni
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chait
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dalal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan