Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in captive mithuns (Bos frontalis) from India.

Abstract

One hundred and four mithuns from India were tested for serum antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by modified direct agglutination test. The overall prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in mithun was 28% (95% CI=19-37). Highest (prevalence rate=46, 95% CI=30-62) seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies was found in mithuns above 3 years of age and lowest (prevalence rate=14, 95% CI=1-27) in mithuns of 6 months-1 year old. No statistically significant difference was observed between male (prevalence rate=23, 95% CI=10-36) and female (prevalence rate=31, 95% CI=20-42) seroprevalences (P=0.53). Significant difference was observed in the seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies in mithuns of different strains with the highest (48%) seroprevalence recorded in Arunachal and lowest (14%) in Mizoram strain. The seroprevalence was higher in farm located at lower altitude (305 m a.s.l.) than the farm located at higher altitude (2134 m a.s.l.). This is the first serologic survey for T. gondii antibodies performed on mithuns from India.