ABSTRACT
Toxoplasmosis is caused by a coccidial parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, which infects humans, livestock and birds. This study was to determine the sero-prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in local chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in Katsina metropolis from January to March, 2015. A total of 460 sera were collected from two live bird markets (LBMs) at slaughter points and these were assayed with Indirect Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) test kits specific for avian toxoplasmosis. Structured questionnaires were administered to the workers at LBMs to evaluate their attitude and practice towards Toxoplasma infection. The overall prevalence for Toxoplasma antibodies was 7.83% (36/460). Gobarau yan kaji had a higher prevalence 9.06% (25) than Central market 5.98% (11). All (100%) respondents were males and with a mean age of 21.52�24.76 years. Mean score was 26.42�15.9 and 21.74�9.21 for attitude and practice respectively. There was a significant correlation (p <0.05) between attitude and practice score of the respondents. The level of education and specific duty at the slaughter houses correlated significantly (p <0.05) with attitude and practice mean ranks. There was no association (0.137) between experience on the job and practice score. Attitude and practice ranked as poor, fair and good in this study were 60% (30), 12% (6), 28% (14) and 80% (40), 6% (3), 14% (7) respectively. Biosecurity assessment of the LBM was in relation to fencing of the LBMs, infestation of the LBMs with rodents and presence of other animal species in the LBMs. The two LBMs were not fenced and rodents were seen in both of them. Other animal species were seen in both markets, notable among them was the presence of cats which were more in Gobarau 70% (7) than Central 30% (3) market. Most of the respondents (86%) do not allow cats to have access into the bird cages. Most birds kept in the two LBMs were caged (92%) with only 8% of the birds not caged. There were more dogs seen vii in Central 62% (10) than in Gobarau 38% (6) market. The respondents participated more in environmental sanitation in Central market 68% (34) than Gobarau 32% (16) market. This result has shown the presence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in Local chickens slaughtered for human consumption in Katsina Metropolis and this warns on the public health safety problems. There is therefore the urgent need for the implementation of biosecurity measures, public awareness campaign for workers at LBMs in Katsina Metropolis.