title: Anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies in sheep from southeastern Brazil.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of anti-Toxocara antibodies in sheep from Presidente Prudente, southeastern Brazil. Serum samples were obtained from 365 sheep of diverse breeds and different ages. Samples were collected at a slaughterhouse and at farms located in Presidente Prudente. Three groups of animal of different ages were evaluated according to age: Group I: between 1 and 6 months old; Group II: between 7 and 10 months old; and Group III: between 11 and 15 months old. An ELISA test was carried out to detect anti-Toxocara antibodies (IgG) using the excretory-secretory antigens of Toxocara canis (TES) larvae. In total, 183 out of 365 animals (50.1%) were positive for anti-Toxocara antibodies. The frequency of antibody detection was directly proportional to the age of the animals (p<0.0001), indicating a relationship between infection and aging. In Group III, there was a higher prevalence in females (p=0.0041). The relevance of these animals to the epidemiology of toxocariasis in pets and human should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Teaching-Hospital, Posgraduation Course in Animal Science, Universidade do Oeste Paulista - Unoeste, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil. vamilton@unoeste.br
authors.forename: Vamilton Alvares
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Santarém
authors.forename: Paula Andreia Fabris
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Chesine
authors.forename: Beatriz Esther Leme
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Lamers
authors.forename: Guita
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rubinsky-Elefant
authors.forename: Rogério
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giuffrida
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D007018:Hypopituitarism; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D014119:Toxocara / Q000276:immunology*; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth