Comparison of three diagnostic methods for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii in free range chickens.
Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in free range chickens is an indicator of the prevalence and distribution pattern of T. gondii in the environment. For this purpose, serologic assays especially modified agglutination test (MAT) is the main approach in the literature. The main goal of this study was to compare the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on amplification of first internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) of ribosomal DNA gene, ELISA, and MAT to demonstrate T. gondii infection in free range chicken. A total of 106 adult free - range chickens were killed. Blood, whole heart and brain samples were taken. Sera were examined for the presence of T. gondii antibodies by ELISA and MAT as well. Selected tissues were used for PCR and bioassay in mice. The results revealed that 48.11%, 51.89%, 46.23% and 27.36% of chickens were positive in ELISA, MAT, PCR and bioassay in mice respectively. Good correlation between the results of PCR, ELISA and MAT were detected, but not with bioassay in mice. Compared with PCR, the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA were 92.16% and 96.36% respectively and also for MAT, the sensitivity was 81.81% and the specificity was 92.15%. The specific diagnosis of T. gondii infection in chickens is central to a better understanding of the epidemiology and dynamics of transmission among the various host population and is particularly important for planning effective optimal prevention and control programs. Our data in the present study demonstrated that PCR, ELISA and the MAT are helpful and precise methods to detect T. gondii in naturally infected free-range chickens.
Department of Pathobiology, Veterinary Faculty, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran.
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Hamidinejat
Department of Pathobiology, Veterinary Faculty, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran.
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Nabavi
Department of Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran.
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Mayahi
Department of Pathobiology, Veterinary Faculty, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran.
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Ghourbanpoor
Department of Food Hygiene, Veterinary Faculty, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran.
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Pourmehdi Borojeni
Department of Pathobiology, Veterinary Faculty, Shahid Bahonar Kerman, Iran.
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Norollahi Fard
Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran.
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Shokrollahi
D032761:Animal Experimentation; D000825:Animal Structures / Q000469:parasitology; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D001681:Biological Assay; D002645:Chickens; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007159:Immunologic Tests / Q000379:methods*; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000379:methods*
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer