Study on seroprevalence of free-ranging chicken toxoplasmosis in Kermanshah City, Iran

Toxoplasma gondii is one of important intracellular parasites which is prevalent in human and animals worldwide and almost one third of humans in overall they are compromised by infection with this parasite. Since toxoplasmosis can cause serious complications in humans, especially in the congenital form and in immunocompromised individuals, the identification of infectious sources will play an important role in the prevention and control of this infection. The present study was carried out in different in Kermanshah City, Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in in free-ranging chickens. One hundred and twenty serum samples from free-ranging chickens (Gallus domesticus) were tested for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies using ELIZA test with using from fully-automated LIAISON system. Three ml of venous blood was taken from the brachial vein. The blood samples were left to clot then centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 minutes. Serum samples stored at 4 ºC for 24 hours, then kept in -20 ºC until the time of testing. After fluidization of sera in the environment, 1 ml from any of samples transferred to 2 ml tubes and put in the analyzer. Twenty seven out of 120 sera (22.5%) were positive for the presence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in serum. The results indicated broiler chickens may have a potential risk of infection with Toxoplasma gondii and have the ability to transmit the infection to humans.