Detection of Toxoplasma Gondii Antibodies in Farmed Turkeys (Meleagris Gallopavo)

Several seroprevalence studies have been conducted on the natural infections of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic chickens around the world but only a few have published data on turkeys. The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of exposure of farmed Nigerian turkeys to T. gondii infection. Sera obtained from 320 turkeys reared intensively in 3 states of southwest Nigeria were screened for T. gondii antibodies using a modified agglutination test. Antibodies were detected in 4.1 % (13/320) of the turkeys with titres of 1 : 20 in 7 turkeys, 1 : 40 in 5 and 1 : 80 in 1, while none was seropositive at 1 : 160 or 1 : 320. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was comparable among turkeys regardless of their breed, age, location and management system (P > 0.05). None of the variables were significantly associated with T. gondii antibodies by multivariate logistic regression. This first report of T. gondii infections in Nigerian turkeys recommends that turkey meat and its products be adequately processed before consumption.