Short communication
Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in small ruminants in China
Abstract
Little information is available about the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in sheep and goats in China. In the present investigation, the seroprevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum
infections in sheep and goats were investigated in Qinghai province,
China between January 2012 and June 2013. A total of 1250 serum samples
(600 sheep and 650 goats) collected from 8 administrative regions of
Qinghai province, China were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay for the detection of specific antibodies, and sera positive were
subsequently confirmed with indirect fluorescent antibody test. Specific
IgG against T. gondii were detected in 21.33% (95% confidence
interval [CI]: 18.06–24.61%) (128/600) and 29.54% (95% CI: 26.03–33.05%)
(192/650) and against N. caninum in 10.33% (95% CI:
7.9–12.77%) (62/600) and 7.23% (95% CI: 5.24–9.22%) (47/650) of the
sheep and goats, respectively. The risk factors significantly associated
with T. gondii and N. caninum seroprevalence were the
presence of cats and dogs, the pasturing system, the herd size, the
hygiene in the farms. The results of the present survey indicate that T. gondii and N. caninum infections are highly prevalent in sheep and goats in Qinghai province, China. This is the first time that antibodies to N. caninum have been detected in sheep and goats in China.
Keywords
- Toxoplasma gondii;
- Neospora caninum;
- Seroprevalence;
- Sheep;
- Goats;
- China
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