Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep and goats in Pernambuco, Brazil

Pereira M.F., Peixoto R.M., Langoni H., Greca Junior H., Azevedo S.S., Porto W.J.N., Medeiros E.S., Mota R.A. 2012. [Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep and goats in Pernambuco, Brazil.] Fatores de risco associados a infeccao por Toxoplasma gondii em ovinos e caprinos no estado de Pernambuco. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 32(2):140-146. Departamento de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, Recife, PE 52171-900, Brazil. E-mail: rinaldo.mota@hotmail.com This study was conducted to investigate the participation of Toxoplasma gondii in reproductive failure in small ruminants raised in the Litoral/Zona da Mata and Agreste of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. Twelve flocks were selected from which 262 samples were collected, 167 from goats and 95 from sheep. Indirect Imunofluorescent Antibody Reaction (IFA) technique was used to detect antibodies anti-Toxoplasma gondii. A questionnaire was applied in flocks to identify risk factors associated with infection. Positive animals were found in 100% of the farms. Among 167 samples of goat serum analyzed, 31.7% were positive, whereas from 95 samples of sheep, 16.9% were positive. Results of brucellosis tests were negative for 100% of analyzed samples. For sheep, no significant association was found; however, for goats, there was a significant association (p<0.05) for intensive handling (OR=2.40), milk exploration (OR=2.10), animals originating from other states (OR=7.89) and natural breeding (OR=5.69). It was concluded that infection for T. gondii is spread in studied goat and sheep flocks and that sanitary measures must be adopted to control risk factors for infection.