Abstract

Jean Louis A Ndiaye, Babacar Faye, Nasra Idarousse, Doudou Sow, Amy Colle Lo, Fatou Coulibaly, Isaac A Manga, Maguette Ndiaye, Khadim Sylla, Roger Clement Tine, Oumar Gaye

Many studies have identified meat as an important vehicle for Toxoplasma gondii human contamination. In Senegal, meat consumption is important, consequently, humans are exposed. However, few data are available on toxoplasmosis infection in women and animals, especially, sheep and goats. This survey assessed toxoplasmosis prevalence in pregnant women in the suburb and in sheep and goats, using the Direct Agglutination High Sensitivity (DAHS) in order to better estimate the potential risk carried out by women meat consumption. The serology using DAHS test detected anti toxoplasma IgG antibodies in 123 out of 313 pregnant women [39.30%, 95% CI: 33.8-44.7%]. The infection tends to increase with age. In animals, a sample of 198 sheep and 65 goats was picked from the official slaughter site of Dakar. Anti-toxoplasma IgG were found in 55% of sheep and 55.4% of goats. In both species, females were more affected than males without any statistically significant difference. These results indicate that toxoplasmosis is present in Dakar with a high prevalence in pregnant women but also in sheep and goats, which are an important parasite reservoir. The consumption of meat, without proper cooking, might be pregnant women’s contamination factor.