Evaluation of toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies in stray and household dogs by Elisa

Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most prevalent multisystemic protozoal organisms affecting warm-blooded vertebrates. The aim of study was to determine Toxoplasma sero-epidemiology and also to investigate chronic form of the Toxoplasmosis. Blood samples were taken from 90 dogs including 45 household (pet) and 45 stray dogs in order to detect anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies. ELISA were used for diagnosing IgG antibodies. Based on our results 40% of household dogs and 77.77% of stray dogs had anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies. It was also seen that antibody titer in stray dogs was statistically much higher than that of household dogs (P<0.05). Antibodies titer in pets which were kept outdoor was significantly higher than that of those which were kept indoor dogs (P<0.05). Regarding the kind of food (raw, cooked or both) and the amount of antibody, it was seen that the antibody titer in dogs which were fed with raw food was significantly higher (P<0.05). Considering the sero-positivity of stray dogs it can be concluded that the way of keeping, feeding, hygiene and environmental factors have a fundamental role in animals’ contact with causal agent and considering a rather high sero-prevalence in household dogs, hygienic proceedings especially using cooked food or commercially processed foods.