Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Associated Factors in Sheep from Jalisco, Mexico.

The objective of the study was to identify the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in sheep herds from 3 municipalities from Jalisco, Mexico, as well as estimate the association between seroprevalence and certain factors presents in the farms. In total, 12 sheep farms that maintain only hair breeds were included in the work. From these farms, 336 blood samples were collected, corresponding 324 to ewes and 12 rams. Serum samples were subjected to ELISA test, and the association between the frequency of antibodies and some potential risk factors was estimated. The overall seroprevalence to anti-T. gondii antibodies in the population studied was 17.8% (60/336; 95% confidence interval [C.I.] 14-22), all farms had positive animals, and the seroprevalence of antibodies ranged between 7 to 32%. Seroprevalence in specific municipalities was 18.7% in Lagos de Moreno, 17.8% in Encarnación de Díaz, and 16.9% in San Juan de los Lagos. Seroprevalence in ewes was 17.5% (57/324; 95% C.I. 13-22), and seroprevalence in rams was 25% (3/12; 95% C.I. 6-57), while among breeds it was 17.8% in Pelibuey (20/112; 95% C.I. 11-26), 16.6% in Kathadin (14/84; 95% C.I. 9-26), 15.4% in Blackbelly (13/84; 95% C.I. 8-25), and 23.2% in Dorper (13/56; 95% C.I. 13-36); no differences were observed among breeds (p < 0.05). The presence of cats on the farms was associated with seroprevalence (odds ratio [OR] 2.8; 95% C.I. 1.8-7.3, p < 0.001), as was the absence of a rodent-control program (OR 1.5; 95% C.I. 0.8-3.2, p < 0.05). No other factors were identified as associated with seroprevalence.

Prevalence, Incidence, and Risk Factors for Infection by Neospora caninum in Dairy Farm Dogs in North-Central Mexico.

The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence and incidence of Neospora caninum infection in dogs that are in close contact with dairy cattle and to identify possible risk factors associated with the infection in this population. Twenty-four dogs located in 8 different dairy farms of Aguascalientes, Mexico, were evaluated for a 6-mo period. Once a month a sample of serum and a sample of peripheral blood was collected. The serum was used to detect antibodies against N. caninum by means of the indirect immunofluorescence technique, and the blood was used to detect parasite's DNA. The association between seroprevalence and possible risk factors was estimated using logistic regression. The prevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies was 54% in the first month, 62% in the last month, and the incidence was 8.69%. One farm had no positive cases. Antibody titers ranged from 1:50 to 1:800. Parasite DNA was not detected in any of the samples. Only the age (>6 yr) of the dogs was identified as a risk factor for infection by N. caninum (P ≤ 0.05).