SEROPREVALENCE STUDY OF TOXOPLASMOSIS IN SMALL RUMINANTS AND HUMANS (HIV/AIDS PATIENTS) IN SELECTED DISTRICTS OF SOUTH WOLLO, ETHIOPIA
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2008-06
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Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii has been known to be responsible for abortion, still birth and birth of weak offsprings in susceptible hosts such as sheep and goats and cause subsequent economic losses. The parasite also emerged as a serious opportunistic infection associated with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in humans. A cross-sectional study on toxoplasmosis in small ruminants and humans (HIV/AIDS patients) were conducted in selected districts of South Wollo, Ethiopia between October 2007 and April 2008. Serological survey of antibodies to T. gondii was carried out using modified Direct Agglutination test (MAT) on sheep, goats and humans. Of 426 sheep and 86 goats serum samples analyzed, 45.4% and 37.2% of sheep and goats respectively were found to be positive for anti-T. gondii IgG. Higher seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis 49.2% was recorded in Legambo Woreda than in Dessie Municipality Abattoir 28.9%. The sex and age-specific prevalences were found to be higher in females and older animals than in males and younger ones in both species. History of abortion, neonatal mortality and weak births were significantly associated in sheep (P= 0.000) associated with toxoplasmosis and abortion was the most common problems in sheep and goats in the study area. Of the 260 human serum samples analyzed by Modified Direct Agglutination Test (MAT), seropositivity to toxoplasmosis was found in 76.5%. Out of all of HIV-positive sera, 89.6% were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG. There was significant association between seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis and HIV infection (P= 0.000). The risk factors associated with seropositivity to Toxoplasma infection were consumption of raw/under cooked mutton (P= 0.001) and presence of cat (P= 0.038) in the house holds and more than 68% of the respondents had a history of consumption of raw meat and 25% had close contact with cats. The high seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies found in the present study suggested widespread exposure of sheep, goats and humans to T. gondii. Therefore, economic impact of toxoplasmosis in small ruminants should be investigated in detail and early detection of the presence of toxoplasmosis in HIV/ADIS patients is helpful for the initiation of early treatment schemes. Veterinarians should provide advice on possible minimization of contact with cats and avoidance of eating raw or undercooked meat.
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Ethiopia, Goats, Human, MAT, Sheep, South Wollo, Toxoplasma gondii