The aims of this survey were to determine the flock-level and animal-level prevalences of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in sheep in the State of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil, and to identify risk factors. Blood samples were collected from 540 sheep in 63 flocks in 14 municipalities in the Sertão mesoregion. To serologically diagnose T. gondii infection, the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used. Flocks with at least one seropositive animal were considered positive. Among the 63 flocks, 28 (44.44%) were positive, and 60 (11.11%) of the 540 animals were seropositive. Variable flock size > 25 animals was identified as a risk factor (odds ratio = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.09 -9.34; P = 0.033). The results from this survey demonstrate that T. gondii is spread among sheep in the State of Paraíba.Keywords: Toxoplasmosis, small ruminants, serology, epidemiology, control. ResumoOs objetivos deste trabalho foram determinar a prevalência de rebanhos positivos e de animais soropositivos para Toxoplasma gondii em ovinos do Estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil, bem como identificar fatores de risco. Foram colhidas amostras de sangue de 540 ovinos de 63 rebanhos em 14 municípios da mesorregião do Sertão. Para o diagnóstico sorológico da infecção por T. gondii, foi utilizado o teste de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI). Rebanhos com pelo menos um animal soropositivo foram considerados positivos. Dos 63 rebanhos, 28 (44,44%) foram positivos, e 60 (11,11%) dos 540 animais foram soropositivos. A variável tamanho do rebanho > 25 animais foi identificada como fator de risco (odds ratio = 3,2; IC 95% = 1,09 -9,34; P = 0,033). Os resultados deste trabalho sugerem a disseminação de T. gondii em ovinos no Estado da Paraíba.
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