Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in sheep in Bobo- Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Abstract

A survey of prevalence of ovine toxoplasmosis was carried out in Bobo-Dioulasso in 2010. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in sheep in order to better estimate the potential risk of meat for consumers. The modified agglutination test was used for serological diagnosis: the prevalence was 58.8% (227/386; IC 95%: 53.7–63.7%). The increase in prevalence was correlated with age and sex of the animals (higher in males). Results indicate that Toxoplasma circulates in sheep in Bobo-Dioulasso. Isolation of T. gondii in sheep with molecular characterization of isolates would be necessary to assess the risk of ovine toxoplasmosis for human health.