Immunodetection of Toxoplasma gondii in placenta tissue of naturally infected goats

ABSTRACT

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is considered to be a rapid and accurate tool for the identification of protozoa such as Toxoplasma gondii in fetal and placental tissues. In this study, we evaluated the immunodetection of Toxoplasma gondii in placental tissue from naturally infected goats. A total of 80 samples of goat placentas from a single herd with positive ELISA serology for T. gondii were collected and analyzed. In the histopathology, 27/80 samples presented lesions suggestive of protozoal infection. After the histopathological evaluation, the immunohistochemistry technique was performed, obtaining 85.2% (23/27) of samples with positive marking. Immunodetection occurred in the lining epithelium of the chorionic villi and was classified according to the degree of intensity of the immunostaining. Immunostaining within the fetal blood vessels was also evidenced in 8.69% (2/23) of the samples. This study demonstrated that the IHQ technique behaved as a valuable tool in the diagnosis of T. gondii infection in placental tissue of naturally infected goats completing the diagnosis in a decisive way and adding greater value to the results obtained in the histopathological and serological analysis.

Keywords: goats; placenta; toxoplamosis; immunodiagnosis