Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic sheep in Belgium

- 87.4% of the tested sheep had IgG to T. gondii.
- Seroprevalences in Antwerp and Wallonia are statistically lower than in other regions in Belgium.
- First sero-epidemiological study about T. gondii in Belgium.
- High prevalence of Toxoplasma-specific IgG antibodies in the sheep population.

Even though infected sheep are a potential source of Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans, information is lacking concerning the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep in Belgium. We examined 3170 serum samples for anti-Toxoplasma IgG in sheep by total lysate antigen (TLA) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IgG to T. gondii was demonstrated in 87.4% of the tested sheep and in 96.2% of the 209 tested flocks. The seroprevalences in Antwerp (65.2%) and Wallonia (68.6%) are statistically lower than in the other regions in Belgium (96.7-97.8%) (P < 0.05). The present study is the first report that analyzed the prevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep in Belgium and confirms the high prevalence of Toxoplasma-specific IgG antibodies in the sheep population.