Molecular study of Toxoplasma gondii infection in blood of slaughter camels (Camelus dromedarius) of Isfahan province, Iran

Camel transmits some diseases to other ruminants and humans due to carrying common blood parasites between humans and animals. The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most important zoonotic pathogens. This parasitic protozoon is widely prevalent in humans and warm-blooded animals. Humans are usually infected with T. gondii by ingesting oocysts shed by cats or by ingesting viable tissue cysts in raw or undercooked meat. The current aim is to study 30 Iranian one-humped camels of all sexes and different ages that slaughterhouses in the Isfahan province of Iran that were tested for T. gondii infection. The samples were kept at -20ºC in the freezer until examination time. Whole blood samples were investigated by PCR assay. The results revealed that none of the tested camels were infected with T. gondii. Further studies in different regions of the country seem necessary to outline the importance of the disease.