Use of Razi variety of Toxoplasma gondii in serological diagnosis of Toxoplasma infection in compare with molecular test

T. gondii which produced in Shiraz, Razi Institute for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis by direct agglutination test in compare with ELISA and molecular test. Blood samples were collected from 184 ewes with a history of abortion in north of Fars province, Iran. Samples were investigated with molecular and serological (consist of ELISA and direct agglutination test) assays for detection of toxoplasmosis. Results showed that the rate of positive sera by use of commercial kit and agglutination test were 21% and 24% respectively. The McNamara analysis showed no significant difference between agglutination and ELISA tests and the results of Kappa analysis showed a very good agreement between of these two serological assays. Nevertheless, all samples were negative by molecular assay. The direct agglutination test was showed to be an appropriate, simple, fast and economical test for toxoplasmosis diagnosis in sheep. In conclusion, the results of present study confirmed despite the attenuation of virulence of Razi variety of Toxoplasma gondii it could be suitable for serological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis.