[Toxoplasma gondii: level of carriage in sheep of Marrakech region (Mnabha)]

Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd. 2004 Dec;146(12):561-4. doi: 10.1024/0036-7281.146.12.561.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is an ubiquitous parasite with a prevalence variable from country to country. In Morocco very few studies were devoted to this prevalence. To fill this gap we were interested to study the epidemiology of this parasite and to know the level of carriage by the different vectors which are the sources of contamination in humans. The study was done by directly detecting the cysts in the cerebral tissue of the 50 sheep killed and destined for consumption. The results of this preliminary study show that 30% of the cases carry the cysts of T. gondii. To confirm this result and verify the virulence, cerebral specimens were inoculated into mice. These findings are encouraging to complete this study with serological tests and to look for the parasite in cows and goats of this region.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / parasitology
  • Carrier State / epidemiology
  • Carrier State / veterinary*
  • Disease Reservoirs / veterinary
  • Mice
  • Morocco / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Toxoplasma / pathogenicity*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / epidemiology*
  • Virulence