title: Toxoplasma gondii in small ruminants in Northern Italy - prevalence and risk factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the survey was to evaluate Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in small ruminants and possible risk factors associated with the infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sera from 474 goats and 502 sheep reared on 42 farms in northern Italy were collected and tested for IgG antibodies to T. gondii by IFAT (indirect immunofluorescence antibody test). To identify risk factors, a binary logistic regression analysis of the variables was performed. An audit form about farm management was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 96.6% of goat farms and in 87.5% of sheep farms; 41.7% goats and 59.3% sheep resulted positive. Seroprevalence was significantly higher in sheep than in goats. Seroprevalence values were similar in goats from eastern and western areas, whereas goats from the southern area were at lower risk of infection. Saanen goats presented the lowest seroprevalence (30.7 %), whereas cross-breed exhibited the highest rate (48.7%). Goats from farms housing both sheep and goats had an infection risk 1.39 times higher than goats from farms that did not house sheep. Animals bred on intensive farms showed lower prevalence (22.1%) in comparison with those from extensive (45.6%) or semi-intensive farms (60%). Sampling area was one of the strongest predictors of T. gondii infection in sheep flocks. Transhumant flocks showed a higher risk of infection by T. gondii compared with semi-intensive farms (66.8% vs. 38.4%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The highest T. gondii seroprevalence values were registered in transhumant flocks of sheep and in family businesses rearing goats. As these traditional activities represent an important resource for the conservation of the territory and its economy, management practices for a better control of the disease should be improved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessia Libera
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Gazzonis
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Veronesi
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Rita
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Di Cerbo
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio Aurelio
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Zanzani
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Molineri
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Iolanda
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Moretta
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Annabella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moretti
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Piergili Fioretti
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Invernizzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Manfredi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000662:veterinary; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D006041:Goats; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007074:Immunoglobulin G