Abstract

₂Sheep and goats play a significant role in livestock production for meat, milk, and wool. Controlling diseases that affect their health and productivity is crucial. Among them, toxoplasmosis stands out as a notable concern in the small ruminant industry in Iraq, particularly as an abortive agent, as indicated by previous reports. However, there is a lack of reports from several Iraqi governorates, including Diyala. Therefore, 400 blood samples were collected from sheep and goats from 50 herds with abortion history in Diyala governorate and examined using commercial ELISA. Out of 400 tested samples, 316 (79%) had IgG antibodies. The prevalence of infection was significantly higher in goats (85%) compared to sheep (73%) (P=0.005). In sheep, prevalence differed significantly by locality (P < 0.05). Baqubah recorded the highest infection rate (38/200, 95%), followed by Al-Khalis (31/200, 77.5%), Khanaqin (28/200, 70%), (28/200, 70%), and Balad Ruz (21/200, 52.5%). Prevalence in sheep aged < 1 year was significantly higher than in those older than 2 years (P=0.003). Conversely, in goats, prevalence was significantly higher in animals older than two years compared to those aged < 1 year (P=0.004). Moreover, in both sheep and goats, females exhibited a higher prevalence than males, with borderline significance in sheep (P = 0.065) but non-significant in goats. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening of 100 seropositive females from various age groups revealed an overall T. gondii infection rate of 27%. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in all age groups, with prevalence increasing in older females; however, RT-PCR prevalence variation among age groups was not significant (P > 0.05). The high prevalence of T. gondii in Iraqi small ruminants, particularly in Diyala governorate, highlights its role in abortion.

Key words: sheep, goats, T. gondii, Iraq, ELISA, RT-PCR