Herd-level based seroprevalence and associated factors for Toxoplasma gondii in cows in the state of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil

Abstract We aimed to determine the herd and animal levels seroprevalence and associated factors for Toxoplasma gondii infections in cattle from the state of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil. Herds (n = 434) and cows aged ≥ 24 months (n = 1,895) were randomly selected, and serum samples were tested with...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Amanda Rafaela Alves Maia, Roberto Alves Bezerra, Samara Santos Silva, Felipe Boniedj Ventura Álvares, Carolina de Sousa Américo Batista Santos, Clebert José Alves, Inácio José Clementino, Thais Ferreira Feitosa, Vinícius Longo Ribeiro Vilela, Sérgio Santos de Azevedo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria 2023-05-01
Series:Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1984-29612023000200306&lng=en&tlng=en
Description
Summary:Abstract We aimed to determine the herd and animal levels seroprevalence and associated factors for Toxoplasma gondii infections in cattle from the state of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil. Herds (n = 434) and cows aged ≥ 24 months (n = 1,895) were randomly selected, and serum samples were tested with the immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) using as cutoff of 64. Of the 434 farms investigated, 197 had at least one seropositive cow (prevalence of 49.0%; 95% CI = 44.3%-53.8%), and the prevalence at animal level was 18.0% (95% CI = 5.3%-21.1%). The antibody titers ranged from 64 to 1024, with the most frequent titers being 64 (10.8%) and 128 (3.7%). The risk factors identified were property located in Sertão region (odds ratio [OR] = 3.07), property located in Agreste/Zona da Mata regions (OR = 2.00), animal purchasing (OR = 2.68), herd size of 34-111 animals (OR = 2.91) and herd size > 111 animals (OR = 6.97). The results suggest the wide distribution of T. gondii infections in cattle throughout the state of Paraíba, and the risk factors identified are not possible to correct.
ISSN:1984-2961