Authors : M. Sharif , Sh. Gholami , H. Ziaei , A. Daryani , B. Laktarashi , S.P. Ziapour , A. Rafiei and M. Vahedi
Abstract: Serum samples from 290 cattle, 400 goats and 588 sheep slaughtered for food in various areas of the Mazandaran province, Iran were tested for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii) by the indirect immunofluorescense antibody test (IFAT), from December 2004 to April 2005. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 9% (26 out of 290) cattle, 30% (120 out of 400) goats and 35% (206 out of 588) sheep, at a dilution of 1:16 and more. The highest titres observed in cattle, goats and sheep were 1:64 (0.7%), 1:128 (1%), 1:64 (3%), respectively. These results indicate that T. gondii antibodies are widespread in animal populations and support that toxoplasmosis is a widely spread zoonotic infection in northern Iran.
M. Sharif , Sh. Gholami , H. Ziaei , A. Daryani , B. Laktarashi , S.P. Ziapour , A. Rafiei and M. Vahedi , 2006. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Cattle, Sheep and Goats Slaughtered for Food in Mazandaran Province, Iran, 2005. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 5: 188-190.