Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis in Ruminants Aborted Fetuses in Northern Iran Using Molecular and Bioassay Techniques

Kaveh Azimi; Afsaneh Amouei; Mehdi Sharif; Shahabeddin Sarvi; Nemat Shams; Azadeh Mizani; Seyed Abdollah Hosseini; Saeid Salehi; Mohhamad Reza SafariKharyeki; Tooran Nayeri Chegeni; Zahra Hosseininejad; Ahmad Daryani

doi:10.18502/ijpa.v16i2.6273

Kaveh Azimi Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Afsaneh Amouei Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Mehdi Sharif Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Shahabeddin Sarvi Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Nemat Shams Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran
Azadeh Mizani Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Seyed Abdollah Hosseini Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Saeid Salehi Mazandaran Provincial Veterinary Department, Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Mohhamad Reza SafariKharyeki Mahdasht Dairy and Meat Company, Panbe Choleh, Sari, Iran
Tooran Nayeri Chegeni Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Zahra Hosseininejad Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Ahmad Daryani Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v16i2.6273

Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii; Aborted fetuses; Sheep; Goats; Cattle; Iran

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic obligatory intracellular protozoan parasite that infects a wide range of warm-blooded species. This study aimed to obtain further information on the role of T. gondii infection in ruminant abortion (sheep, goats and cattle) using bioassay and PCR methods in Mazandaran province, northern Iran.

Methods: Overall, 104 aborted fetuses (52 bovine, 48 ovine, 4 caprine) were collected at different stages of gestation during the lambing seasons in various parts of Mazandaran Province from Mar 2016 to May 2017. Brains of 104 aborted fetuses were bioassayed in female BALB/c mice. DNA was extracted from all brain samples using phenol-chloroformisoamyl Alcohol instructions. RE gene was used for detection all of T. gondii DNA by conventional PCR assay.

Results: The results of the bioassayed samples were negative because no tachyzoites or cyst were observed in the peritoneal and brain specimens of the mice. The detection of T. gondii DNA was confirmed by observation of a 529 bp band in 15 out of 104 fetuses (14.4%). The highest prevalence rate of T. gondii detected from sheep (16.6%) followed by cattle (13.4%) and goats (0%). The highest prevalence of the infection was observed in east area, while the lowest prevalence of the infection was observed in west area.

Conclusion: T. gondii infection may partly be responsible for abortion and economic losses in livestock husbandry in this region. Therefore, further additional researches such as genotyping T. gondii and designing control strategies for improving management in livestock flocks are necessary.