Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in farm animals (camels, cattle, and sheep) in Sudan

Infection with Toxoplasma gondii in human was increased in last years in Sudan particularly, in pregnant women. The infection may lead to devastating consequences to newborns therefore, the present study, designed to study the role of domestic animals in transmission of the disease to human. Serum samples from 200 cattle, sheep, and lactating camels from Khartoum State, Sudan were researched for T. gondii antibodies by latex agglutination test (LAT). Out of them, 76/200 (38%) resulted positive, being 14/70 (20%) camels, 16/50 (32%) cattle and 46/80 (57.5%) sheep serum samples. The test titration results obtained as followed: 53 (26.5%), 20 (10%), and 3 (1.5%) were 1:8, 1:16, and 1:32, respectively. From the 70 sera samples collected from camels, 14 (20%) were found positive with intensity of 12 (17.1%), 2 (2.9%), and 0 (0%) by dilution of 1:8, 1:16, and 1:32 respectively. In the 50 sera samples from cattle, 16 (32%) were positive with intensity of 10 (20%), 4(8%), and 2 (4%) by dilution of 1:8, 1:16, and 1:32, respectively. Significant among these target groups were found to be highest in sheep (p < 0.05). This is the first serological report regarding T. gondii in cattle and sheep from Sudan.   Key words: Toxoplasma, animals, latex agglutination test (LAT), seroprevalence, Sudan.