Detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic rabbits by using multiple techniques

Abstract

Fifty local breed rabbits were purchased from commercial markets in Mosul city for Toxoplasma gondii detection during the period from April 2007 to October 2007, using five techniques. Of these, impression smear made from different body organs were positive in 82% of the tested samples. Trypsin digestion technique was positive in 68% of the samples, while pepsin digestion in 82% of them. Serological techniques (latex agglutination test and modified latex agglutination test) were positive in 86% of the tested samples, with IgG titer of 1/64. Biological assay in mice was performed by intraperitoneal inoculation of 0.1 ml digested organs suspension, (lungs, heart, liver, spleen, kidney, muscles, uterus, testes and brain). Brain tissue shows the highest rate of tissue cysts detection among all other organs examined of scarified mice post one month of inoculation.

Keywords

• Toxoplasmosis
• Domestic rabbits
• Latex agglutination test