title: Occurrence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in water buffaloes and meat cattle in Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil.
abstract: Serum samples from 169 water buffaloes and 121 beef cattle were analyzed for antibodies to T. gondii by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Positive results were obtained in 27.2% of water buffaloes and 17.4% of cattle. Statistical analysis indicated significant differences between the prevalence in cattle and buffalo (p ≤ 0.05). The highest titres found in positive animals were 1:256 (buffaloes) and 1:64 (cattle). In both bovine species, toxoplasmosis frequency in young animals (less than 2 years old) was lower compared to older individuals, although the differences seen in cattle were not statistically significant.
authors.affiliation: Microbiology and Parasitology Department, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Laura M J de F
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Maria Cecília F
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Damé
authors.forename: Beatris G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Cademartori
authors.forename: Nilton A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: da Cunha Filho
authors.forename: Nara Amélia da R
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Farias
authors.forename: Jerônimo L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ruas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002020:Buffaloes; D002417:Cattle; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D044967:Serum / Q000276:immunology; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan