Occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in sheep in Istanbul, Turkey.

Abstract

ONCEL, T., G. VURAL: Occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in sheep in Istanbul, Turkey. Vet. arhiv 76, 547-553, 2006. ABSTRACT This study was carried out in order to determine the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in sheep in five districts of Istanbul, Turkey. A total of 181 sera taken from sheep were examined for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Of the 181 samples tested 56 (31%) were determined as seropositive. The prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies was significantly higher in adult sheep (P 0.05). These results indicate that ovine toxoplasmosis is widespread in Istanbul. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the status of T. gondii infection in sheep in Istanbul.