title: Prevalence and risk factors associated with anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in sheep from Bahia state, Brazil.
abstract: In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and identify risk factors associated with this infection in sheep from the southern region of Bahia state. Between February and December 2010, 795 sheep from 31 farms located in nine municipalities were tested. We found seroprevalence of 30.2% (240/795), with titers of 64 (38.3%), 256 (34.2%), 1,024 (18.3%), and 4,096 (9.2%) by Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT). Seropositive sheep were detected in all farms sampled. Univariate statistical analysis detected association between T. gondii seropositivity and the variables age, use of fresh food mainly, water source, stocking rate, production system, presence and number of cats on the farm, and transit of cats (p < 0.05). In the logistic regression model, transit of cats (p = 0.001), production system (p = 0.007), and age (p = 0.027) were identified as risk factors associated with T. gondii infection.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciana Afonso
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.forename: Rodrigo Alves
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bezerra
authors.forename: Daniele de Santana
authors.initials: Dde S
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: George Rêgo
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Albuquerque
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan