High seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in aborted ewes from Tebessa Province, Northeastern Algeria: A One Health perspective

Vet World Vol.18 November-2025 Article - 6

Research Article

Veterinary World, 18(11): 3367-3377

https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2025.3367-3377

Kahina Razali¹, Nassima Ait Issad^1,2, Faiza Mebkhout^1,3, Sofiane Boudjellaba^4,5, and Djamel Khelef^4,6

1. Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Saad Dahleb University of Blida 1, BP270, Soumaa, 09000, Blida, Algeria.

2. Laboratory of Biotechnologies Related to Animal Reproduction, Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Saad Dahleb University of Blida 1, BP270, Soumaa, 09000, Blida, Algeria.

3. HASAQ Laboratory, Higher National Veterinary School, Oued Smar, 16000, Algiers, Algeria.

4. Department of Veterinary Sciences, Higher National Veterinary School, Oued Smar, 16000, Algiers, Algeria.

5. Laboratory of Research Management of Local Animal Resources, Higher National Veterinary School, Oued-Smar, 16000, Algiers, Algeria.

6. Animal Health and Production Laboratory, Higher National Veterinary School, Oued Smar, 16000, Algiers, Algeria.

Background and Aim: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan responsible for reproductive losses in sheep and significant zoonotic transmission to humans. Despite its known presence in Algeria, regional epidemiological data remain inconsistent. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii and identify associated risk factors among aborted ewes in Tebessa Province, northeastern Algeria, within a One Health framework.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from September 2019 to October 2020 across three communes (Tlidjen, Al Ater, and Negrine). Serum samples (n = 297) were collected from recently aborted Ouled Djellal ewes aged 2–5 years. Anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G antibodies were detected using the Toxo-Screen DA direct agglutination test at a 1:40 dilution. Risk factors, including location, parity, gestational stage, farming system, and presence of carnivores, were analyzed by χ² tests and multivariate logistic regression using R v4.0.3.

Results: The overall seroprevalence was 48.48% (144/297). Significant differences were observed across communes (Tlidjen 59.03%, Al Ater 42.72%, Negrine 30.00%; p < 0.001). Higher prevalence was recorded in sedentary (58.54%) than transhumant (26.09%) systems (odds ratio [OR] = 5.28; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.83–9.85; p < 0.001) and in farms with carnivores (63.31% vs. 28.91%; OR = 2.90; p < 0.001). Multiparous ewes were less likely to be seropositive than primiparous ones (OR = 0.55; p = 0.047). No significant association was found for gestation stage (OR = 1.58; p = 0.111).

Conclusion: The high seroprevalence of T. gondii in aborted ewes indicates active environmental transmission and considerable reproductive and zoonotic risks in Tebessa. Strengthened farm biosecurity, feline population management, and public awareness of meat hygiene are urgently needed. Integrating veterinary, environmental, and public health surveillance will improve toxoplasmosis control within the One Health framework.

Keywords: abortion, Algeria, One Health, risk factors, seroprevalence, sheep, Toxoplasma gondii, zoonosis.

How to cite this article: Razali K, Issad NA, Mebkhout F, Boudjellaba S, and Khelef D (2025) High seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in aborted ewes from Tebessa Province, Northeastern Algeria: A One Health perspective, Veterinary World, 18(11): 3367-3377.

Received: 15-06-2025 Accepted: 09-10-2025 Published online: 06-11-2025

Corresponding author: Kahina Razali E-mail: razali_kahina@univ-blida.dz

DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2025.3367-3377

Copyright: Razali, et al. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http:// creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.