Occurrence and risk factors associated with infection by Toxoplasma gondii in goats in the State of Alagoas, Brazil / Ocorrência e fatores de risco associados à infecção por Toxoplasma gondii em caprinos do Estado de Alagoas

INTRODUCTION: Goats are considered very susceptible to infection by Toxoplasma gondii and when this occurs during pregnancy, it may cause fetal death with subsequent fetal resorption, abortion, mummification, stillborn or the birth of weak goats. The objective of this work was to determine the occurrence of and identify risk factors for T. gondii infection in goats in different mesoregions in the State of Alagoas. METHODS: The research was conducted on 24 goat breeding farms in 10 municipalities. A total of 454 blood samples were examined for anti-T. gondii antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test. To evaluate the risk factors of toxoplasmosis in goats, questionnaires were applied analyzing the farm's production system and nutritional, reproductive and sanitary management. RESULTS: Disease occurrence was 39 percent with 95.8 percent of farms presenting seropositive animals. Significant associations were observed for mesoregion (OR = 0.23; 95 percentCI = 0.09 - 0.57), age (OR = 0.36; 95 percentCI = 0.20 - 0.64), semi-intensive herd management (OR = 8.70; 95 percentCI = 1.87 - 40.43), access of cats to water provided for goats (OR = 3.38; 95 percentCI = 1.89-6.02) and cats feeding on placental remnants (OR = 2.73; 95 percentCI = 1.38 - 5.40). CONCLUSIONS: Toxoplasma gondii infection is disseminated in the State of Alagoas and the adoption of a program that monitors infection foci is required to reduce the risk factors identified in the present study.

INTRODUÇÃO: Caprinos são considerados susceptíveis à infecção por Toxoplasma gondii que quando ocorre durante a gestação pode causar morte fetal com subsequente reabsorção, aborto, mumificação, natimortos ou nascimento de cabritos fracos. Objetivou-se com este estudo determinar a ocorrência e identificar os fatores de risco associados à infecção por T. gondii em caprinos nas diferentes mesorregiões do Estado de Alagoas. MÉTODOS: A pesquisa foi realizada em 10 municípios, sendo analisadas 24 propriedades de produção caprina com aptidão mista. Foram coletadas amostras sanguíneas de 454 animais para realização da pesquisa de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii através da prova sorológica de imunofluorescência indireta. Para o estudo dos fatores de risco, foram aplicados questionários com questões referentes ao sistema de produção e manejos nutricional, reprodutivo e sanitário. RESULTADOS: A ocorrência encontrada foi de 39 por cento com 95,8 por cento das propriedades apresentando animais positivos. Foi observada associação significativa para as variáveis: mesorregião (OR = 0,23; IC 95 por cento = 0,09 - 0,57), idade (OR = 0,36; IC 95 por cento = 0,20 - 0,64), sistema de criação semi-intensivo (OR = 8,70; IC 95 por cento = 1,87 - 40,43), acesso dos gatos à água fornecida aos animais (OR = 3,38; IC 95 por cento = 1,89 - 6,02) e gatos se alimentando de restos placentários (OR = 2,73; IC 95 por cento = 1,38 - 5,40). CONCLUSÕES: A infecção por T. gondii está disseminada no Estado de Alagoas, sendo necessária a realização de um programa de monitoramento dos focos da infecção no Estado com objetivo de reduzir os fatores de riscos identificados no presente estudo.

Seroprevalence of antibodies to chlamydophila abortus in ovine in the state of Alagoas, Brazil

The goal of this study was to perform a seroepidemiological investigation and to identify risk factors associated with infection of Chlamydophila abortus of sheep herds in the Brazilian state of Alagoas. The study was conducted with samples of 274 ewes with ages equal to or higher than 24 months in 25 herds and in 23 towns located in three regions of the state (Sertão, Agreste and Eastern Alagoas). Anti-C. abortus antibodies were detected using the microcomplement fixation test. The risk factors, were determined based on questionnaires consisting of objective questions, about the farmer and general characteristics of the herd like size, sanitary situation and reproductive management. Among 274 sera samples analyzed for C. abortus, 59 (21.5 percent) were positive with titers >32, 187 (68.3 percent) negative and 28 (10.2 percent) suspect with titers >16. In the 23 towns studied, 20 had positive animals. Among herds 21 (77.7 percent) of had positive animals. The only variable which appeared to be significant in the multivariate analysis was the region, and Sertão was the most significant (p<0.001; OR=3.48; T.I. 1.79 - 6.76). Results indicate that infection by Chlamydophila abortus is widespread on sheep farms in the State of Alagoas. Others studies, however, have to be conducted to isolate the agent in order to confirm the role of the bacteria is reproductive disturbances in sheeps. In addition to that, control and prophylactic measures along with health promoting programs have to be encouraged on the studied farms so that infection reates are reduced.