Investigation of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Samsun and Afyon provinces.

OBJECTIVE The present study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in water buffaloes. METHODS The research was conducted on 131 water buffaloes from Samsun and Afyon provinces. Serum samples of buffaloes were tested for toxoplasmosis with the Sabin Feldman Dye Test (SFDT), using live tachyzoites and methylene-blue dye. RESULTS 87.79% of buffaloes had anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies titered 1:16 and more. No statistically significant difference was observed between the age and gender of buffaloes with infection (p>0.05). CONCLUSION These results show that toxoplasmosis is quite common in water buffaloes in the regions of study.