Toxoplasma gondii is intracellular protozoan parasite that are distributed worldwide and of major economic importance in the livestock industry especially sheep and goats. Sheep and goats are thought to be biological indicators of environmental contamination with T. gondii oocysts. In addition, in developing countries such as Saudi Arabia, where sheep and goat meat is commonly consumed, T. gondii infection in small ruminants may also affect public health risks. So that we estimate the prevalence of T. gondii infections in small ruminants, by using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the antibodies to assess the seroprevalence in 130 sheep and 130 goats from Dammam city. A total of 130 sheep were sampled, of which 35 (26.9%) were positive for T. gondii, out of 130 tested goats 31 (23.8%) were positive for T. gondii. Our study also recorded 27 out 52 from the aborted ewes (51.9%) and 22 out 45 from the aborted does (48.8%) were seropositive for anti-T. gondii antibody. Significant differences (p value < 0.0001) were observed among previously aborted females when evaluated as risk factors for T. gondii infection in both ewes and does. In addition, the results revealed that the age in sheep more than 3 years give 31.1% but in goat 23%. Significant differences (p value < 0.0001) were observed among previously ages, sex and the farming system, from the results of this study showed a broad distribution for protozoan parasite (Toxoplasma gondii) in examined sheep and goat flocks. By using ELISA Toxoplasma gondii antibody test kit that provides a rapid, simple, sensitive and specific method for diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis.

Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii; Sheep; Goats; Saudi Arabia; Elisa