Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep of Veracruz State, southeast Mexico

Toxoplasma gondii is widely prevalent in sheep and their products pose a risk to public health. The aim of this study was to identify the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in sheep in Veracruz State, Mexico. The study was cross-sectional and it was carried out in thirteen municipalities distributed in three regions of Veracruz State. A total of ۴۱۴ blood samples were collected from four districts of Veracruz State and analyzed for T. gondii antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Total seroprevalence was ۳۵.۹۰% (۱۴۹/۴۱۴; ۹۵.۰۰% CI = ۳۱.۴۰-۴۰.۸۰). Seroprevalence by the municipality was ۱۰.۵۰% to ۸۵.۷۰% and for the district was ۲۸.۸۰% to ۴۷.۸۰%, respectively. Age, breed and productive status were identified as risk factors associated with T. gondii infection significantly. The infection by T. gondii is widely present in the districts of the Veracruz State with a high seroprevalence and risk factors associated with infection.

Keywords:

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Epidemiology , serology , Sheep , toxoplasmosis