Survey on ovine toxoplasmosis by IFAT and double-tube nested-PCR in Tabriz, Iran

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of toxoplasmosis as a cause of ovine abortion in Tabriz by indirect flourescent antibody test (IFAT) and double-tube nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). From May 2011 to September 2012, 372 sera from sheep who had aborted, 120 aborted fetuses, and 60 placentae (180 samples) were collected in Tabriz, northwestern Iran. IgG antibodies specific to Toxoplasma gondii were used in sera by indirect immunofluorescence assay, whereas fetal and placenta samples were tested by double-tube nested-PCR. Specific IgG antibodies were detected in 129 (34.6 %) of the ewes who had aborted. From a total of 180 aborted fetal samples, 102 (56.6 %) were positive with 194 bp amplicon and, additionally, were confirmed positive with 93 bp amplicon. Results of this survey indicated that seroprevalence of T . gondii closely associated with ovine abortion in Tabriz. Preventive and hygienic procedures may be useful in controlling ovine toxoplasmosis in Tabriz.