title: Detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in carthorses in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
abstract: Toxoplasma gondii, the agent for toxoplasmosis, has worldwide distribution. Horses normally play a secondary role in its life cycle, but movement around urban areas, feeding on grass and the increasing use of carthorses for gathering recyclable material in some urban areas of Brazil may increase their exposure to T. gondii infection. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of anti-T. gondii antibodies in carthorses in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, PR. IgG antibodies against T. gondii were detected using the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) (titers ≥ 64). Seventeen (17.0%) of the 100 horses sampled were seropositive. There were no statistical differences in relation to sex (p = 0.28) or age (p = 0.15). Our findings suggest that carthorses are exposed to T. gondii infections and that no associations with age or sex exist.
authors: Mariane Angélica
authors: MA
authors: Finger
authors: Eliana Monteforte Cassaro
authors: EM
authors: Villalobos
authors: Maria do Carmo Custódio de Souza Hunold
authors: Mdo C
authors: Lara
authors: Elenice Maria Sequetin
authors: EM
authors: Cunha
authors: Ivan Roque de
authors: IR
authors: Barros Filho
authors: Ivan
authors: I
authors: Deconto
authors: Peterson Triches
authors: PT
authors: Dornbusch
authors: Leila Sabrina
authors: LS
authors: Ullmann
authors: Alexander Welker
authors: AW
authors: Biondo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000097:blood*; D014504:Urban Health
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan