Prevalence of anti- toxop lasma antibodies in dairy goats in khartoum state

الملخص EN

The prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies was studied in Nubian dairy goats in different regions in 'Khartoum state.

A total of 94 serum samples were tested for anti- Toxoplasma antibodies by the Direct Agglutination Test (DAT).

Titers of 1 : 40 were considered diagnostically significant.

Thirty-five female goats were seropositive, giving a pre¬valence of 37.23%.

Seropositivity increased significantly with age (p < 0.05) and was highest among goats aged over four years (41.66%).

There was a significant correlation between the presence^ of cats in the household and seropositivity (p < 0.01).

There was also a strong relationship between grazing area and seropositivity (p < 0.001).

On the other hand, abortion rate increased with age, it was 9.52% in the age group of 1-2 years, and reached 33.33% in goats that aged over four years.

There was no relation between abortion rate and serpositivity (p > 0.05(.

This study indicates widespread of Toxoplasma gonjdu infection in Nubian dairy goats in the study area.

Goats are an important source of milk and meat to most families in Khartoum state.

Its economic impact, as well as its public health significance, especially among the people who consume goat's milk and raw meat warrant further investigation.