Prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in four breeds of cattle at Ibadan, Nigeria

Five hundred, and eighty six serum samples collected from four indigenous breeds of cattle, slaughtered at the Ibadan Municipal abattoir, were assayed for Toxoplasma antibodies by the latex agglutination technique. Ninety-nine (16.9%) of the samples were found infected at an antibody titre of 1/64. The distribution of antibodies titre to Toxoplasma gondii varied in the different breeds of cattle investigated. The highest sero-prevalence of 20.9% was detected in the White Fulani breed while the least, 6.3% was detected in the N'Dama breed. Antibodies to toxoplasma detected in other breeds were Sokoto gudali 14.7% and Red Bororo 11.7%. Neither overt clinical signs nor breed predisposition was observed in the samples investigated. Sero-epidemiological data are discussed in relation to toxoplasmosis morbidity in cattle. Key Words: Prevalence, Toxoplasma, antibody, cattle Trop. Vet. Vol. 21: (3) 134-137 (2003)