Epidemiological analysis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in sheep from the Agreste and Sertão regions of Pernambuco in Brazil and to analyze the risk factors associated with T. gondii infection. A total of 250 sheep from 14 sheep farms across the state of Pernambuco were used as samples. Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) was used for the detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies, adopting a cut-off dilution of 1:64. In order to determine risk factors, farm owners were subjected to a questionnaire form enquiring about the aspects of operational hygiene and sanitary systems. Thirty-four of the 250 samples (13.60%, 95% CI= 9.61% -18.48%) in the study were determined to be positive, and 10 out of 14 (71.42%) of the sheep farms showed at least one seropositive animal. Titers for the 34 positive samples presented 8 samples at 64 (23.53%), 3 at 128 (8.82%), 3 at 256 (8.82%), 13 at 512 (38.23%), and 7 at 1024 (20.60%). After regression logistics, only the supply of silage (p= 0.009; OR=2.79, CI 95%= 1.29 -6.0) was confirmed as a risk factor. The study was able to conclude that infection with T. gondii was prevalent in the sampled sheep farms in the state of Pernambuco, and that it was imperative to adopt preventive measures in order to effectively curb the identified risk factors. Key words: Infection. Sheep. Pernambuco. Toxoplasmosis. ResumoObjetivou-se com este estudo determinar a prevalência de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii e analisar os fatores de riscos associados à infecção em ovinos no Agreste e Sertão do estado de Pernambuco. Para tal foram utilizadas 14 propriedades de ovinos totalizando 250 animais. Utilizou-se para a pesquisa Lúcio, E. C. et al.de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii a técnica de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI), adotando-se ponto de corte de 1:64. No estudo dos fatores de risco foram aplicados questionários com perguntas objetivas sobre os aspectos do manejo higiênico-sanitário. Das 250 amostras analisadas 34 (13,60%, IC 95% -9,61%; 18,48%) foram positivas; 71,42% (10/14) das propriedades apresentaram ao menos um animal positivo. Em relação à titulação, observou-se que das 34 amostras positivas, oito apresentaram título de 64 (23,53%); três títulos 128 (8,82%); três títulos 256 (8,82%); 13 títulos 512 (38,23%); e sete (20,60%) apresentaram título de 1024. Após regressão logística apenas a variável fornecimento de silagem (p=0,009; OR=2,79 IC 95%=1,29 -6,0) foi confirmada como fator de risco. Conclui-se que a infecção por Toxoplasma gondii está presente nas criações de ovinos na região estudada, sendo necessário à adoção de medidas preventivas e de controle que atuem nos fatores de risco identificados neste estudo. Palavras-chave: Infecção. Ovelha. Pernambuco. Toxoplasmose.

Epidemiological Investigation of Toxoplasma gondii Infections in Commercial Sheep Flock in an Endemic Area for Ocular Toxoplasmosis in Southern Brazil

“…Serological surveys until 2012 were summarized by Dubey et al [11]. Since then, few additional reports were published 1 3 [2,6,7,14,[20][21][22][23]. In most of these surveys, an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) or an ELISA were used.…”