Seroprevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii in sheep and goats in Jinzhou, Northeastern China

Abstract

In the present study, serum samples from 402 sheep and 216 goats were collected from 5 counties in Jinzhou from August to October 2012 and antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were detected by modified agglutination test (MAT). Overall, 104 (16.8%) had antibodies to T. gondii with antibody titres of 1:25 to 1:800. Seropositive samples were distributed in all the 5 counties and seroprevalences of T. gondii varied significantly with flock size, age and rearing system, but not with breed, gender and farm location. The seroprevalences in small farms (18.3%, 95/518, 95% confidence interval [CI], 15.0-21.7%) were statistically higher than that in large farms (9%, 9/100, 95% CI, 3.4-14.6%) (P < 0.05), older animals were statistically higher than that in younger animals (P < 0.01). The prevalence in extensively and semi intensively raised samples was statistically higher than that in intensively raised animals (P < 0.01). Small flock size and extensive rearing system are the potential risk factors for the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection in sheep and goats in Jinzhou. This is the first report of T. gondii infection in sheep and goats in Jinzhou, northeastern China, and of an association of seropositivity to T. gondii and the risk factors.