Sero-Prevalence of Toxoplasma Gondii in Nigeria Chickens in Some Local Government Areas of Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Toxopolasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that infects mostly warm-blooded animals including man. Birds act as reservoir hosts. Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of the disease toxoplasmosis. This study determined the sero-prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Nigeria chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) brought to markets in some Local Areas of Plateau State, Nigeria. A total of 300 blood samples were collected at slaughter points in EDTA sample bottles, placed in plastic container containing ice packs to maintain temperature at -4oC and transported to the Parasitology laboratory of the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, National Veterinary Research Institute Vom. Sera were separated and assayed for the presence of Toxoplasma gondii with Toxo-lax test kits (TL) strictly adhering to the manufacturer's instruction. There was an overall prevalence of 65.33% for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. Sex specific seroprevalance was 24.33% for male and 43.33% for female respectively. There was significant differences (p<0.05) in the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among the markets and between the male and female birds from Kugiya and Miango and no significant difference between the male and female birds from Tunkus. The high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in this study is a pointer to public health problem to the handlers of these birds. Recommendation is made for proper cooking of these indigenous birds before consumption as well as maintenance of good hygiene and sanitation practices to reduce the risk of infection. Keywords: Seroprevalence, Toxoplasma gondii, Nigeria chickens