Molecular Detection of Associated Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii in Pregnant Women and Small Ruminants
Molecular Detection of Associated Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii in Pregnant Women and Small Ruminants
Zaid Khalid Alani1*, Saaba Muhsen Farhan2, Shahad Abdullah Shwan3, Atheer Kareem Kadhim4
ABSTRACT
Toxoplasma gondii is an essential intracellular parasite responsible for causing toxoplasmosis infections in both humans and animals, which can result in a wide range of clinical signs. In this study, a random blood sample of 165 pregnant women was used for serological testing and molecular analysis. Additionally, 100 serum samples from small ruminants (sheep and goats) were collected from slaughterhouses during the same study period. The prevalence rate in women varied by age categories, with significant differences (p ≤ 0.01): 32.7% in 18–25-year-olds, 21.8% in 25–35-year-olds, and 10.9% in 35–40-year-olds. The B1 gene was detected in both pregnant women and small ruminants using nested PCR. Of the 100 pregnant women, 40 (40%) tested positive using nested-PCR, which amplified 580 bp and 531 bp bands with external and internal sets of primers specific for the B1 gene of T. gondii. In ruminants, PCR revealed a 10% infection rate (10/100), with higher prevalence in sheep (16%, 8/50) compared to goats (4%, 2/50). These findings suggest that the low prevalence of toxoplasmosis infection in ruminants plays a significant role in protecting humans from parasite infections.
Keywords | B1 gene, Pregnant women, Small ruminants, Toxoplasmosis, Zoonotic protozoa
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