Investigating Potential Sources of Toxoplasmosis for Humans From Slaughtered Food Animals in Ibadan, Nigeria

The consumption of undercooked meat by humans is a potential infectious source for Toxoplasmosis. This study was aimed at finding potential infectious sources of Toxoplasma gondii for humans by investigating the seroprevalence of T. gondii in animals slaughtered in the Ibadan municipal abattoir. Serum samples from 1337 slaughtered animals (477 cattle, 267 sheep, 139 goats, and 454 pigs) were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. Serological studies using the ELISA method demonstrated the prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in cattle, sheep, goats and pigs as 38.9%, 1.9%, 3.6% and 45.2%, respectively. Univariate statistical analysis detected an association between T. gondii seropositivity and sheep, goat and sex (P < 0.05). In the multivariate logistic regression model, only sheep, goats and pigs had an association with T. gondii seropositivity, while sex was a confounding factor. The detection of varying levels of antibodies to T. gondii infection in these food animals highlights their potential as a source of T. gondii for humans. Efforts should, therefore be directed at preventing the infection during the production and the processing of meat for food.