title: Molecular and Serological Evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Reared Turkeys in Fars Province, Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite infects most of warm-blooded animals, including birds. Turkeys are one of these animals which might be infected by this parasite. Little is known about the prevalence of T. gondii in turkeys in Iran.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The current study aimed to evaluate the rate of Toxoplasma infection in turkeys in Fars Province, Southern Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sera and tissues (brain, neck and tongue) of 54 turkeys were collected from Shiraz slaughterhouse in Fars province. Anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were assessed in the collected sera using modified agglutination test (MAT), while tissues were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bioassay methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  T. gondii antibodies (MAT titer: ≥ 1:40) were found in 89.8% of turkeys. T. gondii DNA was detected in 61.6% of turkey tissues and brain had the highest rate of infection. Brain tissues from each animal were bioassayed and Toxoplasma tissue cysts were found in 11.5% and Toxoplasma DNA in 62% of inoculated mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of this study validated a relatively high level of Toxoplasma infection in reared turkeys and turkey meat might be considered as an infection sources for human.
authors.affiliation: Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Bahador
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sarkari
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Qasem
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Asgari
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Neda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bagherian
authors.affiliation: Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Soheil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ashkani Esfahani
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalantari
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Iraj
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mohammadpour
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ashrafmansori
authors.affiliation: Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amerinia
authors.affiliation: Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sabet Sarvestani
keywords: Biological Assay; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Toxoplasma; Turkeys