Seroprevalence and risk factors of caprine toxoplasmosis in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Vet Parasitol. 2009 Mar 23;160(3-4):225-9. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2008.10.092. Epub 2008 Oct 30.

Abstract

The objective of this work was to carry out a study on caprine toxoplasmosis in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. To determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in goats in Minas Gerais, 767 sera from goats were tested by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and IFAT (indirect fluorescence antibody test). The prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii was 43.0% and 46.0% by ELISA and IFAT, respectively. It was observed that 26.8% of the goats show low-avidity IgG to T. gondii. These results suggest the presence of animals in recent phase of toxoplasmosis in Minas Gerais. The risk factors for toxoplasmosis in goats were: age over 36 months (OR=1.21; IC 95% 1.02-1.44), use of pen (OR=1.83; IC 95%1.01-3.31) and pure breed animals (OR=2.49; IC 95% 1.11-5.59).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood*
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Breeding
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / methods
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / veterinary
  • Goat Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Goats
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Male
  • Odds Ratio
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Toxoplasma / immunology*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / epidemiology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Immunoglobulin G