Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in aborted ewes by using different immunologic tests in Duhok governorate, Kurdistan region, Iraq

This study was conducted to investigate the anti-toxoplasma antibodies titer (IgG and IgM), in aborted ewes in different localities of Duhok Governorate. The study was carried out in the laboratory of post graduated study, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Duhok University from October 2010 to April 2011. Four hundred and ninety-six (496) serum samples of aborted ewes (98, 144, 152 and 102 were obtained from Aqra, Duhok center, Shikhan and Zakho, respectively). Latex Agglutination test (LAT), Modified agglutination test (MAT) and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) were used for the aforementioned purpose. The over all prevalence of toxoplasmosis was (83.3%), and the rate was different in different localities such as Aqra (86.7%), Duhok (89.6%), Shikhan (74.3%) and Zakho (84.3%) using LAT. Out of 413 sera, sample which were confirmed positively LAT (67.31%) were positive for Toxoplasma by MAT (have had IgG type of antibody) and 149 (36.08%) sera gave positive reaction by IgM ELISA test (have had IgM type of antibody). The result revealed that the rate in different age groups was statistically different and the rate was 90.38% in age group <4 year and 75.42% in age ≥ 4 years applying LAT.