title: Outbreak of ovine congenital toxoplasmosis in Iran, confirmed by different diagnostic methods.
abstract: Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic obligatory intracellular protozoan parasite with the capability to infect all warm-blooded animals. One of the great concerns is that it can lead to ovine abortion in sheep growing industry. Different diagnostic methods such as serology, pathology, immunohistochemistry, bioassay and molecular detection have been used in order to detect ovine abortion associated with T. gondii. In this case, an outbreak of congenital toxoplasmosis based on serological, macroscopic, pathological detection and isolation of T. gondii by bioassay is described and emphasized on the importance of this route of transmission that caused lamb losses and an increase in possible sources of infection for human and environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran ; Center of Excellence in Ruminant Abortion and Neonatal Mortality, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Ahmad Reza
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Movassaghi
authors.affiliation: Pathobiology Department, Shahmirzad School of Veterinary Medicine, Semnan University, Vali Asr area, Shahmirzad, P.O.Box: 35718-95589, Semnan, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rassouli
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Parasitology & Entomology, Medical School, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences & Health Services, Zanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Asghar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fazaeli
authors.affiliation: Pathobiology Department, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Salimi-Bejestani
keywords: Iran; Outbreak; Ovine abortion; Toxoplasma gondii