Document Type : Short Communication

Authors

1 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Mexico

2 Technological Institute El Llano, Aguascalientes, Mexico

3 National Institute of Agricultural and Livestock Research, National Center for Disciplinary Research in Animal Microbiology, Cuajimalpa, Mexico

4 Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Veracruz, Xalapa, Mexico

5 Faculty of Biological and Agricultural Sciences, Universidad Veracruzana, Córdoba, Mexico

Abstract

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 414 blood samples were collected from four districts of Veracruz State and analyzed for T. gondii antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Total seroprevalence was 35.90% (149/414; 95.00% CI = 31.40-40.80). Seroprevalence by the municipality was 10.50% to 85.70% and for the district was 28.80% to 47.80%, 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

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