Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Chickens and Pigeons in Khartoum State, Sudan

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in commercial chickens, free rang chickens and pigeons in Khartoum State. Three localities in Khartoum State were chosen (Khartoum, Bahri and Omdurman). A total of 358 blood samples were collected from the poultry in houses and farms. The samples from apparently healthy birds were collected randomly from 36 free rang chickens, 22 pigeons and 300 chickens (broiler and layer). The samples were examined by using Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbant Assay (ELISA) to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies for IgG and IgM. The results obtained showed that 2 (0.56%) out of 358 birds were positive as chronic infection and no bird was showed acute infection, one was detected from free rang chicken and the other from broiler chicken. The result showed that all samples examined for presence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in pigeons were negative. This study concluded that Toxoplasmagondii was found with low prevalence rate in chicken in Khartoum State.