title: Risk factors of occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii among horses in the state of Alagoas, Brazil.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii among horses and its associated risk factors in Alagoas, Brazil. In total, 440 samples from 36 properties in 23 districts of the state of Alagoas were studied, covering the Leste, Agreste and Sertão mesoregions. Risk factors were evaluated through the application of an investigative questionnaire that focused on the productive, reproductive and sanitary management of herds. T. gondii infection were assayed using the immunofluorescence assay (IFA) with a cutoff point of 64; 14.4% (95% CI: 11.0%-17.8%) of - horses were seropositive. A significant association was determined between anti-T. gondii antibody presence and the consumption and storage of hay (OR = 2.08 / 95% CI: 1.20-3.62). This is the first report of T. gondii infection among horses in the state of Alagoas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sandra R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Fonseca de Araújo Valença
authors.forename: Rômulo M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Barreto Valença
authors.forename: José Wilton
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Pinheiro Júnior
authors.forename: Pedro P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Feitosa de Albuquerque
authors.forename: Orestes L
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Souza Neto
authors.forename: Rinaldo Aparecido
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mota
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D006736:Horses; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan