Occurrence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in goats from micro-regions of the state of Piauí

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in goats from micro-regions of the state of Piauí (Brazil). From six randomly selected properties, 145 goats were examined. Serum samples of the animals were analyzed by ELISA for the presence or absence of antibodies against T. gondii. Of these, 22% were seroreactive for T. gondii. Individual records were also taken for each property. These analyses showed that factors such as sex, age, water source, and presence of cats were associated with animal seropositivity. In addition, there was also a positive correlation (p > 0.04) between animal sex and T. gondii contamination. The presence of cats in the facilities and animal pasture fields appeared to be a risk factor for the contamination of goats in the assessed properties (p > 0.03). The parasite Toxoplasma gondii is present in the goat herds of southern Piauí state, and females are more likely to be contaminated.

Occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibody and evaluation of risk infection factors in goats raised in Sergipe state, Brazil

“…The rate of 30.07% of goats seroreagent to Toxoplasma gondii in the state of Sergipe was similar to that described by Pereira et al (2012) 31.73% (53/167) in Pernambuco, but lower than the 47.56% (78/164) reported by Bispo et al (2011) in the same state and 38.98% (177/454) described by Anderlini et al (2011) Bahia (Uzêda et al 2004), Mossoró in Rio Grande do Norte (Lima et al 2008), southern Piauí (Santos et al 2018) and Paraíba (Faria et al 2007) presenting 4.34% (2/46), 16.35% (61/373), 17.06% (65/381), 22.07% (32/145) and 24.50% (75/306), respectively. Regarding the outbreaks of the 41 properties studied, 37 (90.24%) presented at least one positive animal, demonstrating the dissemination of the agent in Sergipe's herds, as observed in Pernambuco's herds with 100% (10/10) and 66.66% (4/6) and in Rio Grande do Norte with 92.85% (13/14) of outbreaks (Silva et al 2003, Cavalcante et al 2008, Pereira et al 2012.…”

“…The cat's access to water is fundamental in the spread of the disease since it occurs through the ingestion of oocysts of the parasite released in the soil. Due to its potential for expansion higher than the evacuation site, it can contaminate unprotected water sources (springs, artesian wells, distribution network) and pastures, especially in rainy periods, making the agent able to conclude their biological cycle in the organism of the intermediate host (goats) (Dubey 2010, Santos et al 2018.…”

“…In the Northeast region, despite having the most extensive national herd, there are few surveys of goats seropositive for T. gondii. They are carried out in the states of Bahia (Uzêda et al 2004), Alagoas (Anderlini et al 2011), Pernambuco (Silva et al 2003, Bispo et al 2011, Pereira et al 2012, Lúcio et al 2016, Paraíba (Faria et al 2007), Rio Grande do Norte (Lima et al 2008), Ceará (Cavalcante et al 2008), Maranhão (Soares et al 2010, Moraes et al 2011 and Piauí (Santos et al 2018), which had an occurrence ranging from 4.34% to 47.56%.…”

“…Concerning the main risk factors for the spread of the disease in goat herds in the Northeast, the following can be mentioned: sex, animals of advanced age, extensive or semiintensive breeding, properties located in hot regions, proximity to urban areas and presence of cats in herds (Anderlini et al 2011, Bispo et al 2011, Abu-Dalbouh et al 2012, Garcia et al 2012, Santos et al 2018.…”

Inquérito sorológico de lentivírus de pequenos ruminantes e Toxoplama gondii em caprinos leiteiros de Zabelê, Cariri Ocidental, Paraíba, Brasil

“…O presente estudo traz dados atualizados quanto a frequência da infecção por LVPR e T. gondii em caprinos no município de Zabelê, Paraíba. Observou-se baixa frequência de animais reagentes para T. gondii, podendo estar relacionada às características observadas nas visitas, como ausência de felinos e descarte correto de fetos abortados e secundinas, variáveis frequentemente consideradas fatores de risco para a doença (Santos et al, 2018;Rizzo et al, 2020) (Alves, 2021).…”