Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs and domestic equine from western Iran

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs, horses, and donkeys from west of Iran. Blood samples were collected randomly from 270 dogs, 120 horses, and 100 donkeys from Hamedan province. Using Modified Agglutination Test (MAT),10.7 %, 13.3 %, and 47 % of samples were seropositive in dogs, horses, and donkeys, respectively. There were statistical differences among dogs infection and age groups, and type of dogs, unlike to gender. In donkeys, there were statistical differences in age groups and gender, contrast to horses. This study is the first report of T. gondii infection in donkeys from Iran. Therefore, it is necessary to take integrated strategies for prevention and control of infection in animals, which could help to reduce human infections in this region.