Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in free range chickens (Gallus domesticus) in Khon Kaen province, Thailand.

ABSTRACT

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the infective stage of Toxoplasma gondii and is often acquired from contaminated food and water. Data on the prevalence of T. gondii in freerange chickens (Gallus domesticus) in Khon Kaen province, Northeast Thailand, are limited. A total of 257 serum samples were collected and antibodies to T. gondii were examined by the latex agglutination test; 26 (10.1%) free-range chickens were positive. By logistic regression, the seroprevalence rate was 3.8 fold higher in the rainy season compared to the dry season (OR=3.81, 95% CI=1.39-10.47, P=0.006). The mean rainfall in the seropositive group (3.48 ± 2.05 mm) was significantly higher (P=0.028) compared to the seronegative group (2.42 ± 2.35 mm). The point biserial correlation coefficients showed a positive association between seropositivity and mean rainfall (r=0.137, P=0.028) but no significant associations for temperature or humidity. In conclusion, the presence of T. gondii infection in free-range chickens in Khon Kaen province suggests environmental contamination. The wet season and mean rainfall are significant associations with seroprevalence. The prevention of faecal contamination from cats to the environment is a good strategy to reduce the risk of infection in soil feeding animal such as chicken.