Semina: Ciências Agrárias (Nov 2018)

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

  • Karina Rodrigues dos Santos,
  • Jezlon da Fonseca Lemos,
  • Carla Duque Lopes,
  • Richard Atila Sousa,
  • Marcelo Richelly Alves de Oliveira,
  • Carlos Syllas Monteiro Luz,
  • Severino Cavalcante de Sousa Júnior

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2018v39n6p2457
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 39, no. 6
pp. 2457 – 2464

Abstract

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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.

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