TOXOPLASMOSIS IN FOUR CAPRINE BREEDS: A FUTURE RISK OF ZOONOSIS - S. Ahmad; Z. Tasawar (Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 2016)
The present study was carried out to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in four caprines breeds that are commonly reared in Cholistan desert, Rajan Pur and Rahim Yar Khan during the period between April 2011 and March 2012. The objective of the present study was to ascertain the infection rates of toxoplasmosis in different caprine breeds so that the disease resistant goat breeds could be recommended for rearing in the study area. Blood samples were collected from 865 goats reared in 21 flocks as well as from some domestically reared goats. The samples were examined through Latex Agglutination Test to assess T. gondii infection. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii in caprines was 29.13%. Out of total four breeds of goats the highest infection rates 33.33% were found in Beetal followed in sequence by 30.98% in Nachi, 29.06% in Teddy and the lowest infection rates were found 21.02% in Dera Din Panah (DDP) breed. Non significant (P-Value= 0.5231) differences were observed in the overall high rates of toxoplasmosis in caprines. The uniform values of Toxoplasma infection in all the four caprine breeds might be associated with the reason that goats are allowed to breed naturally in the mixed flocks.
Keywords: journal article; Toxoplasmosis; Latex agglutination test; goats