Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii in goats in Choma District, Zambia.

Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is a widespread zoonotic disease associated with reproductive losses in livestock and important public health consequences. Despite the recognized veterinary and public health importance of toxoplasmosis, data on T. gondii infection in goats in Zambia are currently lacking. Therefore, a cross-sectional seroepidemiological study was conducted among goats in eight veterinary camps in Choma District to determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of T. gondii infection. A total of 324 goat serum samples were examined for IgG antibodies against T. gondii using a commercial ELISA kit. Potential risk factors associated with T. gondii seropositivity in goats were evaluated using chi-square and logistic regression analyses. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii was 3.1% (95% CI: 1.68-5.59). Female goats showed a higher seroprevalence (4.13%), whereas all male goats tested negative. The significant risk factors identified were the presence of stray cats within farm yards (cOR = 5.54; 95% CI: 1.40-21.90; p = 0.015) and cat access to feed and water troughs (cOR = 5.69; 95% CI: 1.37-23.54; p = 0.016). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of T. gondii in goats in Zambia, providing baseline seroprevalence data and evidence of zoonotic exposure risk. These findings have implications for veterinary and public health, as well as food safety, and highlight the need for integrated One Health surveillance strategies.