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.