SHEEP-AN IMPORTANT RESERVOIR OF HUMAN TOXOPLASMOSIS IN IRAN

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease and ubiquitous in the world. Infection rate in the tropical and subtropical regions with high humidity is higher than other areas. The rate is lower in dry regions whether hot or cold. More than 200 species owarm­ blooded animals are intermediate hosts and cats or members of the carnivore family Felidae have been found to be definitive hosts.' In Iran in the northern provinces of Mazandaran and Gilan, infection rate is higher than other provinces (about 70%) while in the southern provinces of Hormozgan, Sistan and Balouchestan, and Khuzestan, this rate is lower (about 12%). Common routes of transmission of the infection are feeding of uncooked meat or