Risk factors for infection by Toxoplasma gondii in herds of goats in Ceará, Brazil

Abstract

In order to identify possible risk factors for T. gondii infection in goat herds in Ceará, Brazil, 2362 serum samples were tested by ELISA. The serological prevalence was 25.1%. The risk factors identified for Toxoplasma gondii infection in goat herds were age, number of cats, use of wooden feeding troughs and absence of feeding troughs. Goats older than 37 months had 2.01 (CI 95%; 1.55 -2.61) higher risk of infection than younger animals. Greater risk of infection was observed in farms with more than 10 cats (OR = 1.73; CI 95%; 1.01 -3.33). The use of wooden feeding troughs represented a high probability of infection (OR = 7.81; CI 95%; 1.66 -36.67). The lack of feeding troughs also represented a high probability of infection (OR = 5.50; CI 95%; 1.24 -24.39).Keywords. goat, prevalence, Toxoplasma gondii, risk factor, Ceará (OR = 1,73; IC 95% 1,(1)(2)(3)33). Quando a propriedade utilizava comedouros de madeira, o risco de estarem infectados foi também maior (OR = 7.81; IC 95%;). Animais oriundos de propriedades sem comedouro também apresentaram alto risco de infecção (OR = 5.50; IC 95%; 1,39). Palavras-chave. caprino, prevalência, Toxoplasma gondii, fator de risco, Ceará RESUMO

Occurrence and risk factors associated with infection by Toxoplasma gondii in goats in the State of Alagoas, Brazil

“…It is similar to that determined in the municipality of Goiânia (43.1%) 22 , in the microregion of Londrina (30.7%) 23 and in the States of Bahia (28.9%) 24 , Pernambuco (40.4%) 25 , Rio Grande do Norte (30.6%) 13 and Minas Gerais (45.8%) 7 . These results also diverge from other works conducted in São Paulo (14.5% 26 and 28.7% 14 ), Uberlândia (19%) 27 , Bahia (16.4%) 28 , Paraíba (24.5%) 29 and in Ceará (25.1%) 15 .…”

“…This rearing system permits contact between goats and oocysts excreted in the feces of the wild or domestic felines, thus increasing the probability of infection. Similarly, in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, it was observed that the system of extensive management (OR = 1.18) was associated with infection 13 , also previously demonstrated in the State of Ceará 15 , particularly in regions with poor socioeconomic conditions, where goat raising consists subsistence breeding and where it is common for the goats to be confined overnight.…”

“…In a study on goats in Texas, USA, nondetection of anti-T. gondii antibodies was attributed to the absence of cats on the properties of that region 33 . In other similar studies, the higher prevalences verified in goat herds was associated with the presence of a high density population of cats, pets, rodents and humans on the properties, providing high availability of definitive intermediate hosts for the parasite, thus increasing the chances of infection 10,15,24 .…”

“…The presence of cats has been considered a risk factor for toxoplasmosis in goats 15 . In a study on goats in Texas, USA, nondetection of anti-T. gondii antibodies was attributed to the absence of cats on the properties of that region 33 .…”

“…As demonstrated by several studies, the principal risk factors for infection by T. gondii in goats are: sex and age, in which the principal affected group is adult females; the pluviometric index, high humidity and mild temperatures in the regions where the herds are raised 9,11 ; management systems 13 ; common feeders and drinkers for young and adult goats; the presence of cats; and goats with reproductive disorders on the property in question 4,14,15 .…”