Serological survey of the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in rams in sheep flocks in New South Wales.
Serum samples from 5724 rams on 534 farms in New South Wales were tested in the indirect fluorescent antibody test for toxoplasmosis. Nine per cent of rams had titres of 64 or higher and 41% of flocks had either one or more rams with a titre of 64 or higher. There were significant differences in the geographical distribution of infected flocks, ranging from 57.8% of flocks infected on the tablelands to 41% on the slopes and 22.4% on the plains. There were significantly more infected commercial flocks (47.5%) than stud flocks (32.9%). The results indicated that the prevalence of infection was influenced by management, with a higher prevalence of infection in flocks kept under an intensive or semi-intensive system of management.
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D001315:Australia; D004777:Environment; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D008297:Male; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies