Epidemiological factors associated with anti-toxoplasma seropositivity in aborted Ewes in Nineveh Governorate, Iraq

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to examine the epidemiological factors associated with anti-toxoplasma seropositivity in aborted ewes in the Nineveh governorate in Iraq. Serum collected from a total of 213 aborted ewes was examined using the Latex agglutination test, and the titer of 1/16 was set as a cut-off titer for the seropositivity. Logistic regression was applied to examine the association of different epidemiological factors with the seropositivity. The prevalence of anti-toxoplasma seropositivity in aborted ewes was 61.5%. The seropositivity was greater in 3 and 4 years-old ewes compared to those ≤ 2-years-old, and higher in flocks > 200 head compared to smaller flocks. The prevalence of potential recent infection was 26%. Recent infection was not identified in ewes with the last stages of gestation. The odds of recent infection were higher in aborted ewes during summer-autumn season than those aborted in winter-spring, and greater in flocks 200 head. The study concluded that Toxoplasma gondii infection is not negligible and could be considered a crucial pathogenic cause of abortion in ewes in the Nineveh governorate. Finally, flock management system is an important factor that can influence the prevalence of T. gondii in the governorate.

Keywords

• ewes
• Toxoplasma gondii
• Latex
• 2-mercaptoethanol