SEROLOGIC PREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA-GONDII IN CHICKENS IN MADRAS, INDIA

Serum samples from 185 chickens (Gallus gallus) collected from the var ious slaughter markets in and around Madras City, India were examined for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii using the modified agglutination t est incorporating mercaptoethanol. Antibodies (greater than or equal t o 1:25) to T. gondii were found in 39.5% of sera. Antibody titers of i ndividual sera (% in parentheses) were 1:25 (8.1%), 1:50 (10.8%), 1:10 0 (6.5%), 1:200 (2.7%), 1:400 (4.3%), 1:800 (5.9%) 1:1,600 (0.5%), and 1:3,200 (0.5%).