Prevalence and risk factors associated to ovine toxoplasmosis in northeastern Brazil

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated to Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep from northeastern Brazil. A total of 932 ovine serum samples from 54 properties in 19 municipalities of the state of Sergipe were collected and assayed using indirect fluorescent antibody test. The assay used antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (IFAT-IgG) with a cutoff point of 1:64. We observed that 28.22% (263/932) of the ovine samples were serum-reactive. In a logistic regression, factors such as consumption of water directly from the source, consumption of water from a deep well, and age below 12 months were associated with protection; whereas factors such as presence of cats on the property, presence of slatted floor, and use of exchanged or borrowed breeding males were associated with infection. The studied area can be considered endemic for toxoplasmosis, so it is necessary to adopt preventive and control measures because this zoonotic infection poses risks to public health.Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, sheep, seroepidemiology, risk factors, Brazil. ResumoObjetivou-se determinar a prevalência e os fatores associados à infecção por Toxoplasma gondii em ovinos do Nordeste brasileiro. Foram processadas 932 amostras de soro de ovinos procedentes de 54 propriedades de 19 municípios do Estado de Sergipe e analisadas pela reação de imunofluorescência indireta para pesquisa de anticorpos contra Toxoplasma gondii (RIFI-IgG), com ponto de corte de 1:64. Observou-se que 28,22% (263/932) dos ovinos foram sororeagentes. Na regressão logística não condicional, ingestão de água direto da fonte, ingestão de água de poço profundo e idade inferior a 12 meses foram fatores associados à proteção; enquanto que a presença de gato na propriedade, presença de aprisco ripado e troca ou empréstimo de machos reprodutores foram identificados como fatores associados à infecção. Ao considerar a região de estudo como endêmica para a doença, cabe a adoção de medidas preventivas e de controle, uma vez que por apresentar caráter zoonótico a infecção destes animais representa riscos à saúde pública.

Neospora spp. and Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep flocks from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

“…These factors, combined with carelessness or lack of knowledge about hygiene of facilities and about disposal of carcasses and fetal-placental debris, can increase T. gondii transmission. As indicated by our results, other studies showed that contact with cats increases the risk of toxoplasmosis in sheep (ANDRADE et al, 2012;GUIMARÃES et al, 2013;MENDONÇA et al, 2013). Therefore, adoption of preventive measures to avoid contamination of the sheep's food and water by cat feces, and to restrict the access of carnivores to sheep carcasses and placental/fetal debris after lambing/abortion, can reduce the risks of T. gondii transmission to cats, humans and sheep, and can reduce reproductive disorders in the flock.…”

“…Moreover, the overall frequency of T. gondii seropositive sheep in the present study (41.3%, 124/300, 1:64 cutoff) was similar to 46.5% (72/155) that was reported in Uberlândia county, Minas Gerais state (ROSSI et al, 2011 (COSTA et al, 2012). On the other hand, lower (but remarkable) frequencies were detected at Central region of São Paulo state (34.7%; 207/597) (FIGLIUOLO et al, 2004), also at the states of Alagoas (32.9%; 142/432) (PINHEIRO JÚNIOR et al, 2009), Bahia (30.2%;240/795) , and Sergipe (28.2%; 263/932) (MENDONÇA et al, 2013), and at the Mossoró county, Rio Grande do Norte state (20.8%; 85/409) (SOARES et al, 2009).…”

Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep in the northeastern region of Brazil

“…In Brazil the reported prevalence of T. gondii among sheep has ranged from 25.75% to 80% (OGAWA et al, 2003;FIGLIUOLO et al, 2004;UENO et al, 2009;ROSSI et al, 2011Minas Gerais State, Brazil, this study aimed to investigate the frequency of antibodies against these parasites in sheep sera from this region by using different serological methods. A total of 155 sheep serum samples were analyzed by the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT;TESOLINI et al, 2012;MENDONÇA et al, 2013).…”

“…The northeastern region of Brazil has approximately 171 million small ruminants, of which 5.4% are sheep (IBGE, 2011). The seroprevalence in this area is between 11.11% and 48.4% (BISPO et al, 2011;MENDONÇA et al, 2013;CORREIA et al, 2015), and the risk factors associated with the infection have been water supply (BRANDÃO et al, 2009), sex and breed (SILVA et al, 2003), age, presence of cats, and water source (ANDRADE et al, 2013). The state of Sergipe has 1% of the total number of small ruminants in the northeastern region, and its total sheep flock is approximately 168,801.…”

Occurrences of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in sheep from four districts of Tocantins state, Brazilian Legal Amazon Region

“…In São Paulo state, southeastern region of Brazil, seropositivity for T. gondii and N. caninum was 34.7% and 9.2%, respectively (Figliuolo et al 2004) Mendonça et al (2013) observed that 28.22% of the ovine samples were serum-reactive to T. gondii. For N. caninum, Langoni et al…”