Prevalence of toxoplasma gondii in backyard-raised goats in Ilocos Sur, Philippines

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is a coccidian parasite that infects a wide range of intermediate host organisms such as goats. It can be acquired by humans through ingestion of cysts in raw or undercooked meat. Cats serve as the final hosts in the T. gondii life cycle and their presence in the farms is a major factor for toxoplasmosis in goats. Lack of deworming practices is linked to poorer physiological conditions which provide opportunity to several pathogens to develop infection. Older goats have a higher susceptibility to T. gondii because they have more exposure to potential factors. Smaller farm sizes are also found to have higher infection rates as compared to larger ones. The Ilocos region is one of the top three regions in the Philippines with the highest goat inventory. The spread of Toxoplasma gondii infection in goats can significantly affect human life, agriculture, and livestock. This study therefore assessed the prevalence of T. gondii in backyard-raised goats in Ilocos Sur, Philippines. Blood samples were collected from backyard-raised goats in Sta. Catalina, Ilocos Sur and were analyzed through ELISA and microscopy. A prevalence rate of 41.86% was calculated, indicating a high rate of infection among the backyard-raised goats. This study is the first report on the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among backyard-raised goats in Sta. Catalina, Ilocos Sur.