Toxoplasmosis outbreak in sheep in northern-central Paraná, Brazil

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2021v42n3p1361

Keywords:

Cats, Immunofluorescence, Sheep culture, Abortion, PCR. Toxoplasma gondii.

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to investigate an outbreak of abortion in a herd of beef sheep on a property in Ivaiporã, north central Paraná, Brazil. A total of 64 blood samples were collected from the sheep, 33 of which were mothers with reports of abortion or stillbirth, and 7 with weak lamb birth. For epidemiological investigation of the parasite, fourteen samples were collected from different sources on the property, six from water, three from soil, one from trough, and four from feed. Indirect immunofluorescence (IFI) analysis and polymerase chain reaction were performed for detecting anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in the sheep and molecular identification of the protozoan in the environment, respectively. The IFI results showed that 95.3% of the sheep were seropositive for anti-T. gondii antibodies; however, the environmental samples tested negative. During the visit to the property and interview with the owner, free-roaming cats were observed on the property for biological control of rodents that had access to the food deposits. This type of management may have triggered the outbreak, which reinforces the importance of preventive management and veterinary medical monitoring on sheep farms.

Author Biographies

Juliana Correa Bernardes, State University of Londrina

Phd Student in Animal Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Londrina, UEL, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

Fernanda Pinto-Ferreira, State University of Londrina

Profa. Dra., Department of Veterinary Medicine, UEL, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

Luiz Daniel de Barros, State University of Londrina

Prof. Dr., Department of Veterinary Medicine, UEL, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

Winni Alves Ladeia, State University of Londrina

Master Degree in Animal Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, UEL, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

Marcelle Mareze, State University of Londrina

Master Degree in Animal Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, UEL, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

João Pedro Sasse, State University of Londrina

Master Degree in Animal Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, UEL, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

Ana Flávia Minutti, State University of Londrina

Master Degree in Animal Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, UEL, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

Felippe Danyel Cardoso Martins, State University of Londrina

Phd in Animal Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, UEL, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

João Luis Garcia, State University of Londrina

Prof. Dr., Department of Veterinary Medicine, UEL, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

Italmar Teodorico Navarro, State University of Londrina

Prof. Dr., Department of Veterinary Medicine, UEL, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

References

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Published

2021-03-19

How to Cite

Bernardes, J. C., Pinto-Ferreira, F., Barros, L. D. de, Ladeia, W. A., Mareze, M., Sasse, J. P., … Navarro, I. T. (2021). Toxoplasmosis outbreak in sheep in northern-central Paraná, Brazil. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, 42(3), 1361–1368. https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2021v42n3p1361

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Section

Communication

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