Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Toxoplasma gondii in Pigs, Sheep and Goats at Slaughter in Jos Municipal Abattoir, Nigeria
Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Toxoplasma gondii in Pigs, Sheep and Goats at Slaughter in Jos Municipal Abattoir, Nigeria
Bata Shalangwa Ishaku1*, Maimadu Abdullahi1, Dakwang Nalong1, Rengkat Jonah1 and Olabode Mayowa2
ABSTRACT
A cross sectional abattoir based study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in pigs, sheep and goats at slaughter in Jos, Plateau State Nigeria. Five hundred (500) serum samples comprising of 300 pigs, 100 each of sheep and goats were collected and analyzed for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies (IgG) using latex agglutination test (LAT). Serum samples with LAT titer >10 IU/ml were considered positive. The study showed that 176 of the 500 samples analyzed were positive for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies (IgG) giving an overall prevalence of 35.2%. There was statistically significant difference in the T. gondii seroprevalence based on the animal species (P=0.023; odds ratio=7.688) screened in the study. In pigs, T. gondii seropositivity was found to be higher (46.2%) and about five times more likely to occur in males than in females (33.3%) (P=0.016; Odds ratio=5.15; 95%CI=1.040-1.844). The seropositivity was also found to increase with age. The prevalence was higher (44.1%) in animals older than 2 years than in those below 2years (31.3%) (P=0.022; OR=4.58). In sheep and goats, the prevalence based on sex was also higher in males (35.3%) and about five times more likely to occur than in females (17.9%) (P=0.015; Odds ratio=5.44). The seropositivity was also shown to increase with age and about five times more likely to occur in age >2 years (P=0.013; odds ratio=5.77). This study showed that pigs, sheep and goats may represent significant source of human infection with T. gondii in the study area through consumption of undercooked meat.
To share on other social networks, click on any share button. What are these?
