The meat of goat kids and lambs as a possible source of Toxoplasma gondii for consumers

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis and the consumption of undercooked meat is a major risk factor for human infection. Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were found in 28.2% (11/39) and 27.8% (5/18) of home-slaughtered goat kids (n = 39) and lambs (n = 18) from four farms in the Czech Republic. The DNA of the parasite was detected in the tissues (diaphragm and/or lung) of 10.3% (4/39) of kids and 16.7% (3/18) of lambs. Although the consumption of kid and lamb meat is low in the Czech Republic, its consumption may become a source of Toxoplasma infection in humans