FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Open Vet J / Serologic and molecular survey of Toxoplasma gondii in Baghd...
Open veterinary journal2025; 15(6); 2492-2499; doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i6.21

Serologic and molecular survey of Toxoplasma gondii in Baghdad Province, Iraq.

Abstract: A prevalent contagious pathogenic parasite that can lead to major health issues is . Unassigned: The present study aimed to detect the parasitic immune response and the existence of genomic DNA in the blood of a -positive equine. Unassigned: Thirty serum samples from horses suspected of having toxoplasmosis were collected from the Al-Rusafa neighborhood in Baghdad. To quantitatively investigate toxoplasma antibody levels in horse serum, an ELISA was used to evaluate immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels. Conventional (PCR) was used to identify DNA. Unassigned: The blood levels of IgG immunoglobulin in toxoplasma-infected horses differed significantly ( < 0.01) according to sex and age. -specific forward and reverse primers were generated using NCBI GenBank software. Toxoplasma genes were amplified using standard PCR. The proposed method can be used as a molecular diagnostic tool for detecting and comparing molecules using a ladder. Unassigned: The findings of this investigation were to ascertain whether the genotype (UPRTF2 gene) is present. The size band of 443 bp DNA in the blood of toxoplasma-infected horses was confirmed using serological and molecular assessments. There were no statistically significant differences found by the Chi-square (χ) test between the age groups or sexes of the seropositive and seronegative horses.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2025-06-30 PubMed ID: 40989605PubMed Central: PMC12451124DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i6.21Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Review

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study investigated the presence of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii in horses from Baghdad Province, Iraq, by detecting both antibodies and parasite DNA in their blood.
  • The research combined serological (ELISA) and molecular (PCR) methods to confirm infection and analyze the genetic material of the parasite.

Introduction to the Research

  • Toxoplasma gondii is a common contagious parasite that can cause significant health problems in various hosts, including horses.
  • The study aimed to detect the immune response indicative of toxoplasmosis and identify the parasite’s genomic DNA in infected horses.
  • Thirty serum samples were collected from horses suspected to be infected with toxoplasmosis in Al-Rusafa, a neighborhood in Baghdad Province.

Methodology

  • Serological Testing (ELISA):
    • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in the horse serum samples.
    • IgG levels indicate past or present exposure to the parasite, reflecting the immune response.
  • Molecular Testing (PCR):
    • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was utilized to detect the presence of T. gondii specific DNA in the blood samples.
    • Primers targeting the UPRTF2 gene (a known gene in T. gondii) were designed using NCBI GenBank software for specificity.
    • PCR amplifications produced a DNA fragment of 443 base pairs (bp) if T. gondii DNA was present.

Results

  • Serological testing revealed significant differences in IgG levels among infected horses related to sex and age (P < 0.01), indicating that these factors may influence immune response magnitude.
  • PCR successfully amplified the targeted 443 bp fragment of the UPRTF2 gene in samples from T. gondii-infected horses, confirming the presence of parasite DNA.
  • The molecular method proved to be effective and suitable for diagnosing T. gondii infection at the genetic level.
  • Statistical analysis using the Chi-square test found no significant differences in seropositivity between different age groups or sexes among the horses, indicating infection rates were fairly uniform across these groups.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The combined application of ELISA and PCR provides a reliable approach to detect Toxoplasma gondii infection in horses.
  • The presence of the UPRTF2 gene’s DNA in blood samples suggests active or past parasitic infection, enabling molecular confirmation beyond serological evidence.
  • The research confirms that T. gondii circulates among horses in Baghdad Province, which has potential health implications for animals and possibly humans, considering horses can be intermediate hosts.
  • Future studies could expand sample size and investigate further epidemiological factors influencing infection prevalence.

Cite This Article

APA
Alsakini KAMH, Al-Ammiri HH, Touma MM. (2025). Serologic and molecular survey of Toxoplasma gondii in Baghdad Province, Iraq. Open Vet J, 15(6), 2492-2499. https://doi.org/10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i6.21

Publication

Open veterinary journal
ISSN: 2218-6050
NlmUniqueID: 101653182
Country: Libya
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 6
Pages: 2492-2499

Researcher Affiliations

Alsakini, Karrar Ali Mohammed Hasan
  • University of Baghdad, College of Veterinary Medicine, Microbiology Department, Baghdad, Iraq.
Al-Ammiri, Hind H
  • University of Baghdad, College of Veterinary Medicine, Microbiology Department, Baghdad, Iraq.
Touma, Mustafa Mohammed
  • University of Baghdad, College of Veterinary Medicine, Microbiology Department, Baghdad, Iraq.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Toxoplasma / isolation & purification
  • Toxoplasma / genetics
  • Horses
  • Iraq / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horse Diseases / blood
  • Female
  • Male
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / epidemiology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / parasitology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / blood
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • DNA, Protozoan / blood
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

This article includes 51 references
  1. Abd-Al-Hameed A. Seroepidemiological study on ovine toxoplasmosis in Baghdad and Diyala province. 2007.
  2. Al-Dabagh I.I., Jasim B.M., Jarjees M.T.. Seroprevalence of antibodies to toxoplasmosis, brucellosis chlamydiosis in abortive sheep in Nineveh governorate, Iraq. Iraqi J. Vet. Med. 2014;28(1):21–25.
    doi: 10.33899/ijvs.2014.89467google scholar: lookup
  3. Al-Khalidi N.W., Dubey J.P.. Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Horses. J. Parasitol. 1979;65(2):331–334.
    doi: 10.2307/3280181pubmed: 448624google scholar: lookup
  4. Almeria S., Dubey J.P.. Foodborne transmission of Toxoplasma gondii infection in the last decade. An overview. Res. Vet. Sci. 2021;135:371–385.
    doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.10.019pubmed: 33148402google scholar: lookup
  5. Alshahery M.N., Mansour R.S.. Detection of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in horses in Mosul, Iraq. Iraqi J. Vet. Med. 2012;26(SUPPL.2):39–41.
    doi: 10.33899/ijvs.2012.168677google scholar: lookup
  6. Al-Sim’ani R.. A serological study to diagnose toxoplasmosis in sheep and human in Ninevah Governorate. 2000.
  7. Al-Taie L.H.. Seroprevalance of Toxoplasmosis in sheep and goat: Iraq/Sulaimania. Iraqi J. Vet. Med. 2011;35(1):16–24.
    doi: 10.30539/iraqijvm.v35i1.599google scholar: lookup
  8. Alvarado-Esquivel C., Sánchez-Anguiano L.F., Hernández-Tinoco J, Arreola-Cháidez E., López J., Salcido-Meraz K.I., Estrada-Martínez S., Navarrete-Flores J.A., Pérez-Álamos A.R., Hernández-Ochoa M., Rábago-Sánchez E., Liesenfeld O.. High seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in female sex workers: a case-control study. Eur. J. Microbiol. Immunol. 2015;5(4):285–292.
    doi: 10.1556/1886.2015.00039google scholar: lookup
  9. Asal S.N.. Seroprevelance study of Toxoplasma gondii in horses and camels animal in Wasit province. Iraqi J. Vet. Med. 2016;40(1):1477–1150.
    doi: 10.30539/iraqijvm.v40i1.152google scholar: lookup
  10. Attias M., Teixeira D.E., Benchimol M., Vommaro R.C., Crepaldi P.H., De Souza W.. The life-cycle of Toxoplasma gondii reviewed using animations. Parasites Vectors 2020;13(1):1–13.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-020-04445-zpmc: PMC6942265pubmed: 31900233google scholar: lookup
  11. Buxton D., Maley S.W., Wright S.E., Rodger S., Bartley P., Innes E.A.. Toxoplasma gondii and ovine toxoplasmosis: new aspects of an old story. Vet. Parasitol. 2007;149(1-2):25–28.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.07.003pubmed: 17686585google scholar: lookup
  12. Dabritz H.A., Conrad P.A.. Cats and toxoplasma: implications for public health. Zoonoses Public Health 2010;57(1):34–52.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2009.01273.xpubmed: 19744306google scholar: lookup
  13. Dubey J.P.. Toxoplasmosis in sheep-the last 20 years. Vet. Parasitol. 2009;163(1-2):1–14.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.02.026pubmed: 19395175google scholar: lookup
  14. Dubey J.P.. Toxoplasmosis of animals and humans (3rd ed.). 2021.
    doi: 10.1201/9781003199373google scholar: lookup
  15. Dubey J.P., Murata F.H.A., Cerqueira-Cézar C.K, Kwok O.C.H.. Toxoplasma gondii infections in horses, donkeys, and other equids: the last decade. Res. Vet. Sci. 2020;132:492–499.
    doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.07.005pubmed: 32799174google scholar: lookup
  16. FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. La Comisión Europea propone reforzar los controles sobre la carne de caballo y vacuno. 2013 Available via http://www.fao.org/agronoticias/agronoticias/detalle/es/?dyna_fef%5Bbackuri%5D=21174&dyna_fef%5Buid%5D=170018.
  17. Fricker-Hidalgo H, Bailly S, Brenier-Pinchart M.P., Dard C, Jean D, Coston A.L., Garnaud C, Pelloux H. How to estimate time of infection with Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women. Use of specific IgG and IgM kinetics by 7 techniques on 691 sera.. J. Clin. Microbiol. 2020;96(4):114987.
    doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2020.114987google scholar: lookup
  18. Fricker-Hidalgo H, Cimon B, Chemla C, Darde M.L., Delhaes L, L’Ollivier C, Godineau N, Houze S, Paris L, Quinio D, Robert-Gangneux F, Villard O, Villena I, Candolfi E, Pelloux H. Toxoplasma seroconversion with negative or transient immunoglobulin M in pregnant women: myth or reality? A French multicenter retrospective study.. J. Clin. Microbiol. 2013;51(7):2103–2111.
    doi: 10.1128/JCM.00169-13pmc: PMC3697685pubmed: 23616461google scholar: lookup
  19. Gebremedhin E.Z., Yunus H.A., Tesfamaryam G, Tessema T.S., Dawo F, Terefe G, Di Marco V, Vitale M. First report of Toxoplasma gondii in camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Ethiopia: bioassay and seroepidemiological investigation.. BMC Vet. Res. 2014;10(1):1–12.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-014-0222-7pmc: PMC3904468pubmed: 24383544google scholar: lookup
  20. Ghoneim N.H., Shalaby S.I., Hassanain N.A., Zeedan G.S.G., Soliman Y.A., Abdalhamed A.M.. Comparative study between serological and molecular methods for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in women and small ruminants in Egypt.. Foodborne Pathog. Dis. 2010;7(1):17–22.
    doi: 10.1089/fpd.2008.0223pubmed: 19743922google scholar: lookup
  21. Gomes D.F.C., da Krawczak F.S., de Oliveira C.H.S., Júnior Á.F., Fernandes É.K.K., Lopes W.D.Z., da Sevá A.P., Gennari S.M.. Toxoplasma gondii in cattle in brazil: a review.. Rev. Bras. Parasitol. Vet. 2020;29(1):1–16.
    doi: 10.1590/s1984-29612019106google scholar: lookup
  22. Hill D., Dubey J.P.. Toxoplasma gondii: Transmission, diagnosis, and prevention.. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. 2002;8(10):634–640.
    doi: 10.1046/j.1469-0691.2002.00485.xpubmed: 12390281google scholar: lookup
  23. Innes E.A.. A brief history and overview of Toxoplasma gondii.. Zoonoses Public Health. 2010;57(1):1–7.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2009.01276.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  24. Jafari-khataylou Y., Imani-baran A., Akbari H.. The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among horses in Northwest Iran.. J. Zoonotic Dis. 2023;2023:16897.
    doi: 10.22034/jzd.2023.16897google scholar: lookup
  25. James K.E., Smith W.A., Packham A.E., Conrad P.A., Pusterla N.. Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence and association with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis: a case–control study of Californian horses.. Vet. J. 2017;224:38–43.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2017.05.008pubmed: 28697873google scholar: lookup
  26. Kimble K.M., Gomez G., Szule J.A., Dubey J.P., Buchanan B., Porter B.F.. Systemic toxoplasmosis in a horse.. J. Comp. Pathol. 2021;182:27–31.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2020.11.004pubmed: 33494904google scholar: lookup
  27. Lass A., Ma L., Kontogeorgos I., Zhang X., Li X., Karanis P.. First molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in vegetable samples in China using qualitative, quantitative real-time PCR and multilocus genotyping.. Sci. Rep. 2019;9(1):1–11.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-54073-6pmc: PMC6327027pubmed: 30626917google scholar: lookup
  28. Li X., Ni H.B., Ren W.X., Jiang J., Gong Q.L., Zhang X.X.. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in horses: a global systematic review and meta-analysis.. Acta Trop. 2020;201:105222.
    doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105222pubmed: 31639325google scholar: lookup
  29. Liu Q., Wang Z.D., Huang S.Y., Zhu X.Q.. Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and typing of Toxoplasma gondii.. Parasites Vectors. 2015;8(1):1–14.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-015-0902-6pmc: PMC4297449pubmed: 25561160google scholar: lookup
  30. Mancianti F., Nardoni S., Papini R., Mugnaini L., Martini M., Altomonte I., Salari F., D’Ascenzi C, Dubey J.P.. Detection and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in the blood and milk of naturally infected donkeys (Equus asinus). Paras. Vectors. 2014;7(1):2–4.
    doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-165google scholar: lookup
  31. Marzok M, AL-Jabr OA, Salem M, Alkashif K, Sayed-Ahmed M, Wakid MH, Kandeel M, Selim A. Seroprevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in horses. Vet. Sci. 2023;10(3):237.
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci10030237pmc: PMC10057672pubmed: 36977276google scholar: lookup
  32. Mikaeel FB, Al-Saeed ATM. Serological and molecular diagnosis of toxoplasma gondii among ewes and horses in Duhok Province-Iraq. Iraqi J. Agric. Sci. 2020;51(4):1212–1219.
  33. Mikail FB. Serodiagnosis of AntiToxoplasma antibodies in aborted ewes in some localities of Duhok Province. Iraq: College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Duhok; 2007. Msc. Thesis.
  34. Mohamed K. Toxoplasmosis in humans and animals in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review. J. Infect. Dev. Ctries. 2020;14(8):800–811.
    doi: 10.3855/jidc.12648pubmed: 32903221google scholar: lookup
  35. Olsen A, Berg R, Tagel M, Must K, Deksne G, Enemark HL, Alban L, Johansen MV, Nielsen HV, Sandberg M, Lundén A, Stensvold CR, Pires SM, Jokelainen P. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic pigs, sheep, cattle, wild boars, and moose in the Nordic-Baltic region: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Parasite Epidemiol. Control. 2019;5:e00100.
    doi: 10.1016/j.parepi.2019.e00100pmc: PMC6411595pubmed: 30906889google scholar: lookup
  36. Pal M, Alem B, Tuli G. Toxoplasmosis in animals and humans - its diagnosis, epidemiology and control. Int. J. Livestock Res. 2014;4(2):1.
    doi: 10.5455/ijlr.20140608054253google scholar: lookup
  37. Pomares C, Ajzenberg D, Bornard L, Bernardin G, Hasseine L, Dardé ML, Marty P. Toxoplasmosis and horse meat, France. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2011;17(7):1327–1328.
    doi: 10.3201/eid1707.101642pmc: PMC3381409pubmed: 21762609google scholar: lookup
  38. Robert-Gangneux F, Dardé ML. Epidemiology of and diagnostic strategies for toxoplasmosis. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 2012;25(2):264–296.
    doi: 10.1128/CMR.05013-11pmc: PMC3346298pubmed: 22491772google scholar: lookup
  39. Sambrook J, Fritsch ER, Maniatis T. Molecular cloning: a laboratory manual (2nd ed.). Cold Spring Harbor. NY: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; 1989.
  40. Saqib M, Hussain MH, Sajid MS, Mansoor MK, Asi MN, Al-Kitani AF, Zohaib A, Sial AUR, Muhammad G, Ullah I. Sero-epidemiology of equine toxoplasmosis using a latex agglutination test in the three metropolises of punjab, pakistan. Trop. Biomed. 2015;32(2):276–285.
    pubmed: 26691256
  41. Schale S, Howe D, Yeargan M, Morrow JK, Graves A, Johnson AL. Protozoal coinfection in horses with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in the eastern United States. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 2018;32(3):1210–1214.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15127pmc: PMC5980325pubmed: 29633348google scholar: lookup
  42. Schlüter D, Däubener W, Schares G, Groß U, Pleyer U, Lüder C. Animals are key to human toxoplasmosis. Int. J. Med. Microbiol. 2014;304(7):917–929.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2014.09.002pubmed: 25240467google scholar: lookup
  43. Selim A, Marawan MA, Abdelhady A, Wakid MH. Seroprevalence and potential risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii in Dromedary Camels. Agric. 2023;13(1):10129.
    doi: 10.3390/agriculture13010129google scholar: lookup
  44. Sertel M, Kirbas A. Investigation of seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in horses and donkeys in Muş Province of Turkey. J. Hell. Vet. Med. Soc. 2022;73(1):3723–3728.
    doi: 10.12681/jhvms.25571google scholar: lookup
  45. Stanciu S. Horse meat consumption –between scandal and reality.. Procedia Econ. Financ. 2015;23:697–703.
    doi: 10.1016/s2212-56711500392-5google scholar: lookup
  46. Stelzer S, Basso W, Benavides Silván J, Ortega-Mora L.M, Maksimov P, Gethmann J, Conraths F.J, Schares G. Toxoplasma gondii infection and toxoplasmosis in farm animals: risk factors and economic impact.. Food Waterborne Parasitol. 2019;15:e00037.
    doi: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2019.e00037pmc: PMC7033994pubmed: 32095611google scholar: lookup
  47. Tassi P. Toxoplasma gondii infection in horses. A review.. Parassitologia 2007;49(1-2):7–15.
    pubmed: 18412038
  48. Tavassoli M, Esmaeilnejad B, Malekifard F, Soleimanzadeh A, Dilmaghani M. Detection of toxoplasma gondii DNA in sheep and goat milk in northwest of Iran by PCR-RFLP.. Jundishapur J. Microbiol. 2013;6(10):1–4.
    doi: 10.5812/jjm.8201google scholar: lookup
  49. Tenter A.M. Toxoplasma gondii in animals used for human consumption.. Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz 2009;104(2):364–369.
    doi: 10.1590/S0074-02762009000200033pubmed: 19430665google scholar: lookup
  50. Tenter A.M, Heckeroth A.R, Weiss L.M. Toxoplasma gondii: from animals to humans.. Int. J. Parasitol. 2000;30(12-13):1217–1258.
    doi: 10.1016/S0020-75190000124-7pmc: PMC3109627pubmed: 11113252google scholar: lookup
  51. Touma M.M, Jassim H.S, Nayyef H.J. Molecular and hematological study of Toxoplasma gondii in horses.. Biochem. Cell. Arch. 2020;20(2):4939–4942.

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,075 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.