Serosurvey for Toxoplasma gondii in dogs in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) antibodies in dogs in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, Nigeria, was determined using the Latex Aagglutination Test (LAT). Antibodies (LAT titer > 1:64) to T. gondii were found in 42 (25%) of the animals examined. Antibody titers in positi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Joshua Kamani, Aliyu U Mani, Hussaini A Kumshe, Goni I Dogo, James P Yidawi, Dauda K Pauline, Henry E Nnabuife, Peter Joan, Godwin O Egwu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 2009-11-01
Series:Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
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Online Access:https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/428
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Summary:The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) antibodies in dogs in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, Nigeria, was determined using the Latex Aagglutination Test (LAT). Antibodies (LAT titer > 1:64) to T. gondii were found in 42 (25%) of the animals examined. Antibody titers in positive dogs ranged from 1:64 (15 dogs) to1:2048 (3 dogs). There was a significant statistical difference (P < 0.05) between age groups of dogs, the prevalence being higher in dogs ≥ 3 years (Χ2 = 13.73 P = 0.0002, OR 2.80 CI95% 1.28-6.13 P = 0.008). Pure Alsatians and their crosses were less likely to be seropositive (OR cross breed 0.28 CI95% 0.13-0.61 P = 0.001, OR Alsatian 0.16 CI95% 0.04-0.58 P = 0.002). The high prevalence of T. gondii infection that we found in dogs suggests a need for a larger survey to determine the national prevalence and identify possible risk factors in different agro-climatic zones. Such a study will help in formulating nation-wide control measures for toxoplasmosis. 
ISSN:1972-2680