First detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in domestic goat's serum and milk during lactation in China.

Abstract Goat milk is considered as one of the most suitable substitute for human milk, especially for children, the aged and those with cow milk allergies. Consumption of raw or unpasteurized goat milk has been known to be a potential route of Toxoplasma gondii infection for human beings. However, no studies have been carried out to detect T. gondii in goat milk in China. Thus, this stuy was firstly carried out to detect T. gondii IgG antibody in domestic goat's serum and milk during lactation by a commercial validated ELISA kit in China. In total, 10.49% (66/629) serum samples and 9.70 (61/629) milk samples randomly collected for Shandong and Jilin provinces were seropositive for anti-T. gondii IgG, respectively. A high correlation of S/P% value was obtained between serum and milk samples (Spearman's coefficient = 0.891, p-value