Abstract

Ngoubangoye B, Akue JP,* Makouloutou P and Bisvigou U

The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in animals and humans sharing the same biotope was examined, to determine the means of controlling this parasite in the tropical ecosystem. Humans (n=198) and animals (n=369) were tested simultaneously for the presence of anti-T. gondii antibodies. Human samples were tested using an enzyme-linked fluorescent assay (ELFA), while animal samples were analysed using the agglutination test. A bioassay using Swiss mice for testing strain virulence was also performed. Two people had IgM, the IgG isotype were found in 73.23% of humans, 92.85% of cats, 58.82% of dogs, 46.42% of chickens, 87.05% of goats and sheep, 6.66% of house rodents, 10.20% of wild rodents and 38.8% for bush meat consumed by villagers. A subsequent bioassay showed that one strain derived from chickens and one from small ruminants induced ascites in mice, while nine strains isolated from chickens and nine from small ruminants were asymptomatic despite the presence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in 95% of infected mice. These results suggest that the strains circulating in this environment might be complex. The high seroprevalence observed is associated with domestic cats and the spread of this parasite is due to the mode of management of domestic animals.