Serological survey of caprine toxoplasmosis in Ethiopia:: Prevalence and risk factors

The study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis in goats in Southern and central Ethiopia between October 2005 and May 2006. A total of 641 goats sera were tested using Modified Direct Agglutination Test (lMAT), of which 480 (74.8 % Cl: 71.3, 78.2) were found to be positive. The highest prevalence was recorded in South Omo zone (82 %) while the lowest was observed in East Shewa zone (62.2 %). The study revealed that goats raised in southern Ethiopia are at a greater risk of acquiring T. gondii infection (OR = 2.55, Cl: 1.726, 3.776; p = 0.000) than those which are raised in central Ethiopia. The prevalence of anti T. gondii antibody was significantly higher in older goats than in kids (OR = 2.33, Cl: 1.490, 3.655; p < 0.0002) and in females than in males (p < 0.0007; OR = 0.68, Cl: 0.542, 0.849). No significant difference was observed among goats kept under various husbandry practices. The high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Ethiopian goats suggests a high risk of human infections. Further epidemiological investigation, isolation and genotyping of T. gondii are planed.