INFECTION RATE OF TOXOPLASMOSIS IN ANGORA GOATS OF DUHOK PROVINCE-IRAQ

Abstract

In this study the seroprevalence of active toxoplasmosis represented by T. gondiiIgM in angora goats was detected in Zakho and Semel districts of Duhok provinceIraq for the first time. T. gondii antibodies were detected at the laboratory of collegeof Veterinary Medicine of Duhok University from April 2009 to May 2010. Ninetytwo (92) serum samples were collected from clinically healthy adults’ angora goats(54 and 38 were obtained from Semel and Zakho, respectively). Indirect EnzymeLinked Immunosorbent Assay was applied and the overall infection rate was %13.04.Results show that the infection rate was different between the two regions with ahigher rate recorded in Zakho. Female and older animals were affected with higherinfection rates than males and younger animals. It can be concluded thattoxoplasmosis is an active infection among angora goats of Duhok province, therefore145for more biosecurity measures and to minimize the zoonotic impact of the disease allanimals must be screened periodically.