Prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in sheep in Uberlândia municipality, MG

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to verify the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in 334 blood samples of sheep from 12 properties located in Uberlândia municipality, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The indirect immunofluorescence assay test (IFAT) was used for the detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies, with a cut-off at dilution 1:64. The prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in sheep was 30.8% and seropositive frequency per property ranged from 10 to 66.7%, and all properties have at least one reacted sample. When ovine seropositivity was associated with gender, age and breed, there was a statistically significant difference for age, so that animals with lower age (6 to 11 months) were less reacted than the older sheeps. These results suggest the adoption of preventive measures in the region studied.

【摘要】本研究旨在检测巴西米纳斯吉拉斯州乌贝兰迪亚市12个养殖场采集的334份绵羊血液样本中抗刚地弓形虫（Toxoplasma gondii）抗体的流行情况。实验采用间接免疫荧光试验（indirect immunofluorescence assay，IFAT），以1:64稀释度作为判定临界值，开展抗刚地弓形虫抗体的检测工作。结果显示，绵羊群体中抗刚地弓形虫抗体阳性率为30.8%；各养殖场的血清阳性率范围为10%至66.7%，且所有养殖场均至少检出1份阳性样本。将绵羊血清阳性情况与性别、年龄及品种进行关联分析后发现，仅年龄因素存在统计学显著性差异：6~11月龄的低龄绵羊的抗体反应阳性率显著低于老龄绵羊。本研究结果提示，需在本次研究区域内采取针对性的弓形虫病预防措施。