Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Camels (Camelus dromedaries) in and around Bahawalpur Region of Pakistan

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite, which infects human and animals by ingestion of tissue cyst, raw or undercooked meat or oocyst from soil, vegetables, fruits, water, soil and food contaminated by cat faeces or by transmission through the placenta, milk and blood transfusion. Seropositivity levels vary widely among different regions of the globe and according to sociocultural habits, geographic factors; climate and transmission routes and typically rise with age. In view of the worldwide importance of T. gondii, a study was conducted to determine the prevalence of T. gondii antibody in camels by using Toxoplasma Latex Test Kit. The overall prevalence of T. gondii infection in camels was recorded as 10%. Two camels were found seropositive at 1:16 dilution showing residual or nonspecific immunity, five camels were found seropositive at 1:128 showing acquired or evolving immunity, whereas three camels were positive at antibody titre of 1:256 giving an evidence of present infection. It was also noted that seropositivity of T. gondii in camels was higher in age group from 6–10 years; infection was higher in female camels having abortion history