Seroprevalence and Risk Variables Related To T. Gondii Infections in Sheep and Goats, Jimma Arjo District, East Wallaga Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

Purpose: The research was carried out in the Jimma Arjo district between January and July 2022 to assess the seroprevalence and risk variables linked to infections caused by T. gondii in small ruminants.

Methods: An indirect ELISA was used to assess blood samples from 267 randomly selected small ruminants (111 goats' and 156 sheep) for T. gondii IgG antibodies. The data was evaluated with SPSS version 25 and STATA 14.0.

Result: An overall seroprevalence of T. gondii was 54.7% (CI = 48.5-60.7). Toxoplasma gondi seroprevalence was significantly higher in sheep (62.2%) compared to goats (44.1%) (P = 0.00). The findings of the research revealed that age and species were significantly (P < 0.05) linked with exposure to T. gondii. Adult sheep and goats had a higher T. gondii infection (67.3%) than in younger animals (34.3%) (P = 0.00). While the seroprevalence did not vary statistically between the villages under study (P = 0.57). Tibe Chafe (61.4%) had the highest seroprevalence, followed by Jarso Kiltu (56.1%), Jamo Gambala (55.7%), and Hidhe village (48.5%) (< 0xC8 > 2 = 2.02; P = 0.57).

Conclusion: In conclusion, it was discovered that T. gondii was widespread in sheep and goats across the research areas, and the infection was found to be strongly associated with the animals' age, species and abortion history. Therefore, in order to fully understand the epidemiology of diseases, it is important to conduct molecular studies on all susceptible animals. Additionally, health education to prevent cat feces from contaminating animals' food is necessary.