Serological survey of caprine toxoplasmosis in Ethiopia: prevalence and risk factors.
The study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis in goats in Southern and central Ethiopia between October 2005 and May 2006. A total of 641 goats sera were tested using Modified Direct Agglutination Test (MAT), of which 480 (74.8% CI: 71.3, 78.2) were found to be positive. The highest prevalence was recorded in South Omo zone (82%) while the lowest was observed in East Shewa zone (62.2%). The study revealed that goats raised in southern Ethiopia are at a greater risk of acquiring T. gondii infection (OR = 2.55, CI: 1.726, 3.776; p = 0.000) than those which are raised in central Ethiopia. The prevalence of anti T. gondii antibody was significantly higher in older goats than in kids (OR = 2.33, CI: 1.490, 3.655; p < 0.0002) and in females than in males (p < 0.0007; OR = 0.68, CI: 0.542, 0.849). No significant difference was observed among goats kept under various husbandry practices. The high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Ethiopian goats suggests a high risk of human infections. Further epidemiological investigation, isolation and genotyping of T. gondii are planned.
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Addis Ababa University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 34, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia.
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Dardé
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Merga
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Dorchies
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D000367:Age Factors; D000372:Agglutination Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006041:Goats; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan