Seroprevalence and hematobiochemical changes associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in goats from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in goats and to evaluate associated haematological and biochemical alterations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 384 blood samples were randomly collected from goats in three districts and analyzed serologically using the latex agglutination test. The overall seroprevalence was 57.3 %, with the highest prevalence in Peshawar (60.2 %), followed by Dera Ismail Khan (57.8 %) and Swat (53.9 %). Higher infection rates were observed in female goats (66.1 %) and animals older than two years (71.4 %). Significant risk factors were female sex, age > 2 years, grazing-based feeding, poor health status, and extensive rearing systems (P < 0.05). Infected goats exhibited marked (P < 0.05) haematological changes, including anemia, leukopenia, neutrophilia, and lymphocytopenia. Serum biochemistry revealed elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST, LDH), as well as increased BUN and creatinine levels, alongside reduced albumin levels and increased total protein, indicating hepatic and renal involvement. The findings underscore the widespread occurrence of T. gondii infection in goats and its substantial impact on host physiology, with potential zoonotic implications. Priority interventions should focus on improving water hygiene, adopting controlled feeding systems, and implementing regular serological screening to effectively reduce T. gondii transmission and its impact on goat health.