Sero-prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Borana breed cattle in three selected district of Borana zone, Oromia regional state, southern Ethiopia - Abstract
Objective: The objective of present study was to estimate sero-prevalence of toxoplasmosis and identify associated risk factors for the occurrence of the disease among Borana breed cattle in three selected districts of Borana zone of Oromia Regional state, southern Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross sectional (observational) study design was conducted from December, 2017 to April, 2018 to estimate the overall sero-prevalence of cattle toxoplasmosis in three selected districts of Borana zone. A totally 391 borana breed cattle from three selected districts (belonging to 50 herds) were tested for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii by using Latex Agglutination Test (LAT). A questionnaire survey was made to assess associated risk factors and knowledge of pastoralists about toxoplasmosis.
Result: The overall sero-prevalence was 14.8% at animal level and 68% at herd-level. There was statistically significant variation (P < 0.05,) in T.gondii seroprevalence among the three districts. The slightly highest seroprevalence was recorded in Gomole district (100 %) followed by Yabello (83.3 %) and Elwaye (35%) districts at herd level and in Gomole (19.5%), followed by Yabello (16.9%) and Elwaye (8.7%) districts at animal level. There was significant association between herd-level seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and herd size, presence of domestic cats and hygiene at camp (P<0.05). About 66% of interviewed Pastoralists had cats in their home and almost all fed household leftovers, raw offal and were allowed to roam in the neighbor hoods fed on rodents and birds. Most (92%) interviewees were uneducated and all had no knowledge of toxoplasmosis.
Conclusion: Study districts, size of the herd, presence or vicinity of domestic cats and hygienic at camp are the main risk factors. The sero-prevalence of toxoplasmosis in studied districts of the Zone needs high attention in implementing the disease control and prevention strategies.