Ovine and caprine toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii) in aborted animals in Jordanian goat and sheep flocks

Abstract

Two hundred and fifty-five biological samples (106 aborted foetal tissue samples and 149 blood samples from aborted sheep and goats) were collected from 188 animals during the lambing season from September 2009 to April 2010 from the Mafraq region of Jordan. The sampled animals belonged to 93 goat and sheep flocks that had cases of abortion. A total of 169 (66.3%) biological samples were collected from sheep and 86 (33.7%) from goats. Seventy-six (29.8%) biological samples (45 blood and 31 tissue samples) were positive for Toxoplasma gondii by PCR assay. The positive samples were obtained from 43 sheep and 23 goats. The overall toxoplasma-specific prevalence rate was 35.1% (66/188). Forty flocks (43%) had at least one T. gondii PCR-positive animal. The risk factors related to flock health status and farm management that are hypothesized to be associated with T. gondii PCR positivity were also assessed using multiple logistic regressions. The presence of cats (OR = 4.74), a large flock size (OR = 2.76) and the method of disposing the aborted foetuses (OR = 3.77) were all statistically significant (P<0.05) risk factors that were positively associated with toxoplasma positivity in goat and sheep flocks.

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with ovine toxoplasmosis in Northeast Brazil

“…The presence of cats on the farms increased 1.55 (CI 95% = 1.11–2.16) the risk for sheep to become infected with T. gondii . This association is likely due to a greater environmental contamination with oocysts eliminated in the feces of these felids [1, 18]. Sheep reared on farms where drinking water was obtained from a running source (continuous replacement of water, obtained from a subterraneous source) had a 1.61 greater risk (CI 95% = 1.25–2.09) to acquire toxoplasmosis than the animals from properties with still-water sources (partially stagnant water, without continuous replacement).…”

Some risk factors for reproductive failures and contribution of Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep and goats of Central Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

“…Moreover, animals in large flocks have higher chance of coming in contact with each other (especially at night floor space of the pen per animal is less) and with infectious materials in the environment which might bring reproductive failures. Animals in large flocks also receive inadequate attention from managers as compared to small flocks which are easier to monitor and control (Abu-Dalbouh et al, 2012).…”

Séroprévalence de la toxoplasmose chez les ovins à Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

“…Par ailleurs, la toxoplasmose est une maladie d'intérêt vétérinaire, car elle représente notamment une cause importante d'avortements chez les brebis (1,6,22). Les pertes financières qui en découlent peuvent être potentiellement lourdes pour un pays à vocation agropastorale comme le Burkina Faso (16).…”