Toxoplasmosis in cats: Serological and molecular study in Baghdad province

Abstract

The only hosts that can excrete resistant oocysts to environment are cats which play important role in the epidemiology of the Toxoplasma gondii. About one-third of the global population infected with T. gondii which is a major zoonotic agent. A total 141blood samples collected from cats in Baghdad province, Iraq. Serological test on all serum samples were applied using latex agglutination test (LAT) were conducted to detect anti-T. gondii antibodies which showed 62.42% positive results.Age and sex regarded in this study were showed statistically no significant differences between both sexes or between different age groups.Although, the cats 6-10 years old showed highest positive results 74%.Nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) was also conducted on allserum samples targeting B1 gene showed 95.3% T. gondii infection.