Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Sheep from Nevşehir Province inTurkey.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in sheep from Nevşehir Province in Turkey.

METHODS

Blood samples were taken from 180 sheep aged between 1 and 7 years, which were randomly selected from seven different study sites in Nevşehir Province. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies to T. gondii was performed on all the serum samples.

RESULTS

Eighteen (10%) serum samples were found to be seropositive for T. gondii antibodies. The highest seropositivity rate (11.53%) was found in sheep aged between 1 and 2 years, whereas the lowest seropositivity rate (8.51%) was found in sheep aged between 5 and 7 years old. Eighteen of the 162 ewes (11.1%) were found to be seropositive, whereas none of the 18 tested rams were seropositive. In addition, considering the study site location, the highest seropositivity rate was in Avanos (32%), whereas the lowest seropositivity rate was in Kozakli (2.9%). The T. gondii seropositivity rates were statistically insignificant with regard to age groups and gender (p>0.05), whereas they were statistically significant (p<0.05) with regard to study centers.

CONCLUSION

This is the first serological report on toxoplasmosis in sheep from Nevşehir Province in Turkey.