Occurrence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in sheep from the Londrina Region of the Paraná State, Brazil

Abstract

Three hundred and thirty nine serum samples were taken from sheep from Londrina region of the Paraná state, Brazil. Samples were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for the detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies. Titers higher or equal to 64 were considered positives. One hundred and eighty five (54,6%) of the 339 samples tested were seropositive, with titres ranging from 64 to 65.536. All farms had positives animals. There was a statistical significant difference between seroprevalence to T. gondii and age. No significant difference was observed in the association between seropreva Londrina region of the Paraná state, Brazil. Samples were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for the detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies. Titers higher or equal to 64 were considered positives. One hundred and eighty five (54,6%) of the 339 samples tested were seropositive, with titres ranging from 64 to 65.536. All farms had positives animals. There was a statistical significant difference between seroprevalence to T. gondii and age. No significant difference was observed in the association between seroprevalence and sex. It was not possible to associated T. gondiiseroprevalenceand presence of housed or stray cats, because these animals were present in all farms. The present work showed that T. gondii has a wide distribution in sheep from this region.