Determination of seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii in sheep, goats and camels slaughtered for food and human consumptions in Riyadh municipal abattoirs, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Serum samples from 891 sheep, 555 goats and 182 camels slaughtered for food and human consumption from three main municipal abattoirs in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia were tested for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by the an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 36.4% (325/891) sheep and 35.3% (196/555) goats and 23.6% (43/182) camels, at a dilution of 1:32 or more for goats and sheep and 1:64 or more for camels. There was no significant difference in infection between sheep, goats and camels in Riyadh City (P>0.05). The results indicated that T. gondii antibodies were wide-spread in the animal populations for human consumption and welfare, and that toxoplasmosis is a widely spread zoonotic infection in Riyadh City.