title: Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic goats in Durango State, Mexico.
abstract: Little is known concerning the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in goats in Mexico. Antibodies to T. gondii were determined in 562 goats in Durango, Mexico using the modified agglutination test. Goats were raised in 12 farms in two geographical regions: semi-desert (n=70) and mountains (n=492). Overall, antibodies to T. gondii were found in 174 (31%) of 562 goats, with titers of 1:25 in 18, 1:50 in 12, 1:100 in 10, 1:200 in 30, 1:400 in 32, 1:800 in 40, 1:1600 in 17, and 1:3200 or higher in 15. Seroprevalence of T. gondii increased with age, and varied with breed and geographic region; goats raised in the semi-desert region (Nubian breed) had a significantly higher seroprevalence (32.7%) than those raised in the mountains (mixed breed) (18.6%). Seropositive goats were found in all 12 (100%) farms sampled. This is the first report of T. gondii infection in goats in Durango State, Mexico. Results indicate that infected goats are likely an important source of T. gondii infection in humans in Durango State.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N esquina Fanny Anitua, 34000 Durango, Mexico.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alvarado-Esquivel
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: García-Machado
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vitela-Corrales
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Villena
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Dubey
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000372:Agglutination Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D006041:Goats; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan