Seroprevalence and molecular detection of toxoplasma gondii in sheep and pigs in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, China

Toxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed, foodborne zoonotic protozoan parasite, yet systematic epidemiological data on its prevalence in local livestock remain limited in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. This study determined the seroprevalence of T. gondii in sheep and pigs across Xinjiang, From April 2024 to July 2025, 1011 sheep and 700 pig serum samples were collected from farms in Northern, Southern, and Eastern Xinjiang. Antibodies were detected using indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT). Muscle tissue samples (300 sheep, 300 pigs) from retail outlets were analyzed by nested PCR targeting the B1 gene, and positive samples were genotyped using multilocus PCR-RFLP (Mn-PCR-RFLP) at 10 genetic markers. The overall seroprevalence was 11.8% (95% CI: 9.8–13.8) in sheep and 17.6% (95% CI: 14.8–20.4) in pigs. Significant risk factors for sheep included Southern Xinjiang region (OR = 2.22, P = 0.032), presence of cats (OR = 2.19, P = 0.001), extensive grazing (OR = 2.23, P = 0.002), and female sex (OR = 2.79, P = 0.003). For pigs, significant factors were presence of cats (OR = 1.81, P = 0.042) and age 2–3 years (OR = 2.58, P = 0.018). Tissue cyst DNA was detected in 8.7% (26/300) of sheep and 13.3% (40/300) of pigs. ToxoDB#9 and #10 were the predominant genotypes among successfully typed isolates (4/6 sheep and 6/8 pigs), with others showing mixed or alternative genotypes. These findings reveal widespread T. gondii infection in Xinjiang livestock, highlighting the need for improved farm biosecurity and public health education regarding safe meat consumption practices. • The systematic investigation of T. gondii in Xinjiang reveals 11.8% seroprevalence in sheep and 17.6% in pigs, with tissue cysts detected in retail meat and ToxoDB #9/#10 as dominant genotypes. • Grazing systems, feline presence, and Southern Xinjiang region are key risk factors; notably, no age-related trends indicate persistent environmental contamination across all age groups. • Results highlight urgent food safety risks linked to local dietary practices (unpasteurized milk and undercooked meat), emphasizing the need for enhanced farm biosecurity and consumer education.