Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in aborted fetuses in sheep in Khorasan Razavi province, Iran

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is a significant cause of abortion in sheep and goats in the world. Toxoplasmosis causes reproduction disorders such as fetal resorption, early embryonic death, mummification, abortion, stillbirth, neonatal and fetal death in sheep. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to detect T. gondii infection in ovine aborted fetuses in Khorasan Razavi province. Methods: From June 2009 to July 2013, 112 brain samples of aborted ovine fetuses were collected and examined to detect T.gondii DNA by nested- PCR. The association of the frequency of T.gondii infection with age and geographical location of aborted fetuses was also studied. RESULTS: The results showed that 18 (16.07%) brain samples of aborted fetuses were Toxoplasm positive in PCR reaction. The frequency of T.gondii in the age group ≥120 days was more than other age groups of infected aborted fetuses (p 0.05). All the infected fetuses belonged to the sheep flocks in the northern part of the province. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed the moderate T.gondii infection among ovine aborted fetuses in the northern part of Khorasan Razavi province.