Serological and molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii among slaughtered domestic ruminants in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract Background The intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide zoonotic cyst-forming parasite that affects nearly all warm-blooded animals, including humans. There are no studies that confirm the presence of this parasite in Ethiopian food animals, particularly in the study area, aside from seroprevalence reports. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use molecular and serological methods to identify this infections in slaughtred domestic ruminants. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2019 to October 2020 by collecting a total of 320 blood and matching tissue samples from purposively selected domestic ruminants. These study participants' infections were identified using the nested polymerase chain reaction and the latex agglutination test. The relationship between risk factors and the incidence of the seropostivity was also ascertained through the use of logistic regression. Results The overall serological, first polymerase chain reaction and nested polymerase chain reaction findings of this infection in slaughtered animals were 180 (56.2%), 68 (21.2%) and 34 (10.6%), respectively. Moreover, 62 (62%), 58 (52.7%) and 60 (54.5%) of latex agglutination tests; 34 (34%), 24 (21.8%) and 10 (9.1%) of first polymerase chain reaction and 20 (20%), 14(12.5%) and 0 (0%) with nested polymerase chain reaction were also found in sheep, goats and cattle, respectively. Significant associations were observed between this infection seropositivity and sex and age within sheep and goats; origins with goats, and breed and ages within cattle (P ≤ 0.05). Moreover, there were also fair concordant between latex agglutination and first polymerase chain reaction tests on slaughtered animals (Kappa: 0.230). Conclusions Generally, these comparative tests were verified the presence of this infection in killed animals, which increased the risk to the public's health among human consumers, especially expectant mothers. Therefore, the best way to prevent this disease should be to avoid eating raw foods. Additional research on this pathogen's genotyping will also be supported.