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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic sheep and goats in Borno state, Nigeria

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Abstract

Serum samples were collected from 372 sheep and same number of goats from the three geopolitical zones of Borno state, Nigeria. The samples were tested for the presences of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Of these, 6.7% (25/372) and 4.6% (17/372) of sheep and goats, respectively, were found to be seropositive to T. gondii antibodies, both far less than the estimated global average of 31%. Results were statistically analyzed by chi-square (χ2) test. The results showed that age, environmental conditions, and farm location are the main determinants of prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii in the study area. Older animals (>3 years) are significantly more infected than younger animals (between 6 months and 1 year).The prevalence of anti T. gondii antibodies is significantly higher (P < 0.05) in both sheep and goats sampled from the southern zone than the northern zone. Animals from the southern zones are about four times more likely to be exposed to T. gondii infection than those in the northern zone, (sheep; odds ratio (OR) = 4.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.177–15.36, P = 0.018), (goats; OR = 4.38, 95% CI = 0.925–20.73, P = 0.04). Farm location in urban area was identified as a risk factor for sheep (OR = 6.06, 95% CI = 2.53–14.54, P = 0.000), and goats (OR = 4.99, 95% CI = 1.59–15.62, P = 0.004). Current data on prevalence of ovine and caprine T. gondii in Borno state are provided by the study as well as identifying the main risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in the area.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to staff of Parasitology Division and Mycoplasma Unit, NVRI Vom for their technical assistance. The Executive Director and Director Research NVRI Vom are kindly acknowledged for funding and permission to publish this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Parasitology Division, National Veterinary Research Institute, PMB 01, Vom, Plateau, Nigeria

    Joshua Kamani

  2. Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, PMB 1069, Maiduguri, Borno, Nigeria

    Aliyu U. Mani & Godwin O. Egwu

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  1. Joshua Kamani
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  2. Aliyu U. Mani
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Correspondence to Joshua Kamani.

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Kamani, J., Mani, A.U. & Egwu, G.O. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic sheep and goats in Borno state, Nigeria. Trop Anim Health Prod 42, 793–797 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-009-9488-3

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