Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in four ovine breeds of cholistan desert of Pakistan

Seroprevalence of toxoplasma (t.) gondii in four ovine breeds was carried out in cholistan desert and adjacent regions of southern punjab,pakistan from may 2012 to april 2013 to compare the rates of infection in different ovine breeds so that the infection resistant breeds could be recommended to the farmers of these regions. the study was also aimed to evaluate the infection rates at gender level in all ovine breeds to infer the vertical transmission of toxoplasma infection. serum samples were collected from 20 spatially reared ovine herds and examined by latex agglutination test. out of total sampled sera,37% were found positive for anti-t. gondii antibodies. at breeds level,the non significant differences in seroprevalence rates were found as 45.09%,44.18%,39.68%,and 28.69% in kajli,thalli,cholistani and lohi breeds,respectively. at gender level,the findings showed varied trends of seroprevalence in male and female animals. moreover,the results established the overall high rates of seroprevalence of t. gondii in sheep that warranted the threat of public health via zoonotic transmission of toxoplasmosis.