Frequency of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in bovines in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii that affects homeothermic animals, including humans. Felines are considered the definitive host of this parasite, while other animals act as intermediate hosts. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies in bovines in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Serum samples (n = 427) from animals in 13 municipalities of the coastal forest/plantation region of the state were analyzed using the immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The overall results revealed a prevalence rate of 16.63% (27/427). High percentages of positivity were found among animals aged 25 to 36 months (28.57%; 30/42) and in males (22.22%; 2/9). The present findings suggest that bovine toxoplasmosis is endemic in the area under study.弓形虫病（Toxoplasmosis）是由刚地弓形虫（Toxoplasma gondii）引起的寄生虫病，可感染包括人类在内的恒温动物。猫科动物被认为是该寄生虫的终末宿主（definitive host），其余动物则作为中间宿主（intermediate host）。本研究旨在评估巴西伯南布哥州（Pernambuco）牛群中抗刚地弓形虫IgG抗体的检出频率。研究采集了该州沿海森林/种植区13个市镇的动物血清样本（n=427），采用免疫荧光抗体试验（immunofluorescent antibody test, IFAT）进行检测。整体检测结果显示，总体阳性率为16.63%（27/427）。其中，25至36月龄的动物阳性率较高（28.57%；30/42），雄性动物阳性率达22.22%（2/9）。本研究结果提示，研究区域内牛弓形虫病呈地方性流行态势。