Molecular and Serological detection of Toxoplasma gondii in three species of wild birds of Babylon province, middle Iraq

Birds are intermediate hosts and important reservoirs that play a significant role in Toxoplasma gondii (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae) epidemiology and infection transfer to humans by eating their raw or undercooked meat. The aim of this study is to diagnose the Toxoplasma gondii infection in three species of wild birds (Columba livia, Streptopelia senegalensis and Passer domesticus) in the province of Babylon from May 2021 to August 2021, using a latex agglutination test and molecular diagnosis with nested PCR for SAG1 gene identification. Results showed that antibodies were detected in 56/144 (38.88%) samples. Furthermore, results of the nested PCR technique for detection of SAG1 gene revealed that 41 (73.21%) of the samples positive for the latex agglutination test were only found in three species of birds. These three species of birds were found infected with T. gondii with possible transmission to human beings. For the first time, a S. senegalensis, was infected with the T. gondii in Iraq.