Relationship of Sero-Positivity against Toxoplasma Gondii Antibodies with Age, Body Weight, Sex, Abortion Rate and Breeds of Goat (Caprine)

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasma has worldwide distribution and every 3^rd animal in the world is affected with toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasma is mainly transmitted by cat, and also can be transmitted by some warm-blooded intermediate hosts.

Objective: To determine the relationship of Sero-positivity against Toxoplasma gondii antibodies with age, body weight, sex, abortion rate and breeds of goat (Caprine)

Methodology: Study samples were collected from all three tehsils of district D.G.Khan, Punjab for a period of six months. A total of 410 goats were included in our study. A dichotomous and multiple-choice questionnaire was designed to quantify and identify different determinants of variation among prevalence. 5ml of blood was collected from jugular vein of all the selected goats and transported to University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF). latex agglutination test was used to confirm the presence of antibodies to T.Gondii.

Results: Overall prevalence of toxoplasma gondii in goat is 9.75%. Our results showed that prevalence increased with age, goat 3 year or above were found 38.7% positive and 2-2.5-year-old were 8.79% and 0 to 1.5-year-old were found 0% positive. By breed, prevalence in teddy breed was 11.55% as compared to Nachi breed 6.92%. Prevalence in female was 9.94% (higher) as compared to 8.62% in male. Higher body weight goats 47kg or above and 37-47 body weight were found positive as compared to 26-36 kg and 15-25 kg body weight. The goat samples with a toxoplasmosis abortion in history had also higher prevalence

 Conclusion: Our study concludes that prevalence of toxoplasma gondii is high (9.75%) in goats of Dera Ghazi Khan and it increases with increased age, teddy breed, female gender, high body weight and abortion.