Occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii in raw milk of domestic ruminants and human sera: a seromolecular study from Upper Egypt

Abstract

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is a foodborne protozoan that poses significant health risks to both animals and humans. Raw milk contaminated with T. gondii has been identified as a potential infectious source for humans. This cross-sectional study investigated the occurrence of T. gondii in raw milk from domestic ruminants and in the serum pregnant women in Aswan, Upper Egypt. A total of 250 milk samples collected from various lactating domestic ruminants and 90 serum samples from pregnant women were examined using ELISA (IgG and IgM) and PCR. Overall, 31.2% of milk samples were seropositive, and 21.6% were PCR-positive. T. gondii antibodies were found in 34% of cows, 18% of buffaloes, 38% of ewes, 52% of does, and 14% of she-camels by ELISA, while T. gondii DNA was identified in 22% of cows, 8% of buffaloes, 28% of ewes, 42% of does, and 8% of she-camels by PCR. The serum of pregnant women showed that 26.7% were seropositive, and 21.1% had T. gondii DNA by PCR. In conclusion, these results demonstrate widespread circulation of T. gondii in the study area and highlight raw milk as a potential transmission route. Public health awareness and strict milk pasteurization practices are essential to reduce infection risk, particularly among pregnant women.