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Summary
This study was carried out in Red Sea State, Sudan, to determine seropositivity of Toxoplasma gondii in different sheep eco-types (Beja sheep) using Latex agglutination test (LAT). Seven hundred blood samples were collected from Beja sheep slaughtered at Port Sudan and Tokar slaughterhouses during February-August 2010. The sheep were from different locations and of different sex, ages, eco-types and management systems. Three hundred and eighteen (45.4%) Beja sheep were seropositive for T. gondii antigens. Among these sera, the numbers of seropositive samples at different dilution were as follows: 14 at 1:8, 67 at 1:16, 52 at 1:32, 142 at 1:64, 35 at 1:128 and 8 at 1:256. The prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies was significantly high (P < 0.05) in Etbawi eco-type sheep. No significant difference was observed in prevalence rate with regard to location, sex, age and management systems. In conclusion, serological results of sheep slaughtered at Port Sudan and Tokar, indicate their widespread exposure to T. gondii. The study suggests that consumption of raw and undercooked sheep meat can be problem source of human toxoplasmosis.
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