Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep and goats slaughtered for human consumption in Central Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundToxoplasmosis is one of the most common parasitic zoonoses worldwide. Humans get infections with T. gondii after ingesting raw or undercooked meat or oocysts via contaminated soil, food or water; or congenitally by transplacental transmission of tachyzoites. The objectives of the present study were to estimate the seroprevalence and assess risk factors for T. gondii infection in sheep and goats slaughtered for human consumption in Central Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out from September, 2011 to November, 2012 in randomly selected small ruminants (n = 628). Direct Agglutination Test (DAT) was used to detect IgG antibodies specific to T. gondii. A titer of 1: 40 or 1: 4000 or both was considered indicative of T. gondii exposure. Logistic regression was used to assess potential risk factors.ResultsAn overall seroprevalence of 17.68% (111/628) (95% confidence interval [CI]:14.77 − 20.89) was detected. Twenty percent (61/305) seroprevalence (95% CI: 15.6 − 624.94) in sheep was found with a reciprocal end titers of 60 in fourteen, 180 in three, 540 in two, 1620 in five, 6000 in nine, 18000 in six, 54000 in eleven and 162000 in eleven. Similarly, seroprevalence of 15.48% (50/323) (95% CI:11.71 − 19.89) in goats was found with a reciprocal end titers of 60 in eighteen, 180 in five, 540 in three, 1620 in seven, 6000 in four, 18000 in four, 54000 in five and 162000 in four. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of T. gondii infection was significantly higher in adult sheep (adjusted Odd ratio (aOR) = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.10 − 3.70; P = 0.023) than in young sheep and in sheep sampled during the dry season (aOR = 4.19, 95% CI: 1.55 − 11.33, P = 0.005) than those sampled during wet season.ConclusionsThe seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in small ruminants slaughtered for human consumption in Central Ethiopia is high. Age and season are significant predictors of seropositivity in sheep. The study highlighted the importance of meat of small ruminants as a potential source of infection for humans. Prevention of the spread of the disease through farm biosecurity measures is essential.

Seroprevalence ofToxoplasma gondiiinfection and risk factors in domestic sheep in Henan province, central China

“…The highest prevalence of infection (19.09%) was detected in two-year-old or older animals, followed by intermediate prevalence (12.67%) in the 1–2 year age group, while the prevalence found in animals in the ≤1 year age group was 6.50% (Table 2). These results are similar to those of previous investigations [17, 20, 41, 42], suggesting the possibility of horizontal transmission in the investigated herds.…”

Sero-epidemiological survey on toxoplasmosis in cattle, sheep and goats in Algeria

“…In fact, according to Dubey and Kirkbride (1989), most of sheep acquire the infection before the age of 4 years; however, only one third of the older females remain seronegative in heavily contaminated farms. As well, we found no significant difference between sexes; a similar observation was reported by Khezri et al (2012) and Gebremedhin et al (2014), unlike Clementino et al (2007) who reported a higher seroprevalence in females. The antibody titers obtained are higher as compared to cattle, with a maximum titer of 1:2048; a similar titer was reported by Rossi et al (2011) and higher titers reaching 1:65536 were reported by Garcia et al (1999).…”

Isolation and genotyping of viable Toxoplasma gondii from sheep and goats in Ethiopia destined for human consumption

“…Production system, breed and purpose of keeping small ruminants (for meat and milk) are as described previously [17, 18]. In this study, sheep and goats aged over six months were sampled.…”

“…The present study was undertaken from September, 2011 to June, 2013 using hearts of 91 DAT seropositive animals (47 sheep and 44 goats) and 14 seronegative animals (10 sheep and 4 goats) from previous seroepidemiological study [18]. …”