Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs in Sichuan Province, southwestern China

There is a lack of information concerning the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs from southwestern China. In the present study, serum samples from 314 household dogs were collected from Wenchuan, Heishui, and Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan Province, southwestern China, in May and June 201; sera were assayed for T. gondii antibodies using an indirect haemagglutination test (IHA). Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 11 of 314 (3.5%), with IHA titers of 1:64 in 4 dogs, 1:128 in 3, 1:256 in 2, 1:512 in 1, and 1:1024 in 1. No regional difference was observed among the 3 counties (P > 0.05). The results of the present study indicated that infection with T. gondii in dogs is common in China, including household dogs in Sichuan Province, and should be of public health concern.