Titres of Specific Antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in Goats and their Kids

Abstract

The aim of our study was to perform repeated determination of specific antibody levels in mothers and their kids in order to assess indirectly the possibility of vertical transmission of toxoplasmosis in goats. Twenty-eight goats with their kids were included in the study. The following variables were assessed: number of born kids in relation to antibody titres of goats; levels of specific antibodies in the blood of goats and kids; and concentrations of immunoglobulins (Ig), total protein (TP) and total globulins (G) in order to define the end of colostral immunity and the start of active production of antibodies in kids under 69 days of age.Specific antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in goats were detected by IFAT in titres ranging from 0 to 1 280. Out of a total of 28 animals, 5 goats were negative (17.9%) and 23 goats were seropositive (82.1%). The goats delivered 42 kids. A total ratio of number of kids to number of mothers was 1.5. Partial evaluation of results in goats without positive titre against T. gondii before parturition and goats with positive titre showed that negative goats tended to have more kids (p < 0.1) (ratio 1.80) compared to positive goats (ratio 1.35). A significant decrease in levels of TP, Ig and G was observed between days 27 and 41. Samples taken on days 55 and 69 proved gradual increase of active production of antibody response, which was supported also by a significant increase (p < 0.01) of monitored non-specific immunity indicators. During this period, we observed increased titres of specific antibodies against toxoplasmosis in 20 kids (5 kids 41 days old, 5 kids 55 days old, and 10 kids 69 days old) and thus we could assume the possibility of vertical transmission of toxoplasmosis. Immunoglobulins, colostral immunity, small ruminants, zoonosisThe protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii has been thoroughly studied for a long time. As this zoonotic pathogen affects both animals and humans, attention is paid also to animals whose meat is used for human consumption in order to ensure food safety (Hill and Dubey 2002;Lhafi et al. 2004). Human toxoplasmosis has been discussed mainly as the cause of abortions and congenital foetal defects. McAllister (2005) drew attention to human dormant toxoplasmosis that might affect cerebral activity. Pasture animals are most often infected by Toxoplasma gondii oocysts produced by their definitive hosts, i.e. cats. It has been proven that there is a direct correlation between the presence of cats on farms and the incidence of specific antibodies against T. gondii in livestock (Skjerve et al. 1998). Interestingly, small ruminants such as sheep and goats show similar transplacental transmission of toxoplasmosis as humans. It is presumed that the transmission occurs during acute infection in pregnancy. Abortions are observed during early pregnancy period. Pereira-Bueno et al. (2004) proved that 23.1% of abortions in sheep studied in Spain are caused by toxoplasmosis. If the infection occurs later, kids are born healthy (Blewet et al. 1982). Rec...

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum antibodies in goats in the Czech Republic

“…In Europe, Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were found in the range of 5-91% in goats in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Greece, France, Italy, Poland, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Spain and Turkey (Dubey 2010). In the Czech Republic, a seroprevalence of 21% to 82% has been found in goats in previous studies (Hejlicek and Literak 1994;Slosarkova et al 1999;Misurova et al 2009). …”

Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Alpine Red Deer (Cervus elaphus): Its Spread and Effects on Fertility

“…gondii effects on foetal development which changed with female age. The protozoan appears not to directly affect the probability of being pregnant, unlike what was supposed in goats [ 53 ], but could indirectly affect red deer fertility impairing foetal development. In particular, this finding could be the consequence of an infection acquired before the breeding season which influenced females' fertility by delaying mating or pregnancy or decreasing the foetal development.…”

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infection in sheep, goats, and fallow deer farmed on the same area1

“…Earliest studies performed in European countries found that antibodies to T. gondii were detected even in 79% of tested goats and 24% of tested sheep (Misurova et al, 2009;Špilovská et al, 2009). They indicated that goats are associated with higher T. gondii seroprevalence than sheep.…”