Prevalence and risk factors for anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in goats of the Seridó Oriental microregion, Rio Grande do Norte state, Northeast region of Brazil

Vet Parasitol. 2008 Oct 1;156(3-4):329-32. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2008.05.013. Epub 2008 May 22.

Abstract

The prevalence and risk factors for anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were investigated in goats of the Seridó Oriental microregion, Rio Grande do Norte state, Northeast region of Brazil. Three hundred and sixty-six blood samples from goats collected by jugular venopuncture were used. For the serologic diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection, the indirect fluorescent-antibody test (IFAT) with cut-off value 1:64 was carried out. The prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies was 30.6% [95% CI=25.9-35.6%] with titers ranging from 1:64 to 1:16,384. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors associated to anti-T. gondii antibodies were presence of cats in the herd, extensive/semi-intensive management systems and lack of mineral supplementation.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood*
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Goat Diseases / blood
  • Goat Diseases / epidemiology
  • Goat Diseases / immunology*
  • Goats
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Toxoplasma / immunology*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / blood
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / epidemiology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan