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Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in Dairy Cows in Southeastern Brazil: Seropositive Cows on All Farms Investigated

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and identify the risk factors associated with the higher in-herd T. gondii seroprevalence in dairy cows in 37 farms in southern Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil.

Methods

Serum samples from 1,105 dairy cows were subjected to an indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT 1:64) for anti-T. gondii IgG. The association existing between possible risk factors at the herd level and the seroprevalence were verified through Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) multiple logistic regression models.

Results

Anti-T. gondii antibodies were observed in 31.4% of the cows (347; 95% CI= 28.7–34.2) and on 100% of the farms (37; 95% CI= 90.6–100.0%), indicating that all properties possessed at least one seropositive animal. For univariate analysis, herds with seroprevalence were categorized as greater and less than 30% as the outcome. The "breeding of Holstein Friesian cows" (p= 0.016, OR= 6.667, 95% CI= 1.500–29.628) and in an "intensive system" (p= 0.013, OR= 6.120, 95% CI= 1.394–26.876) increased the chance of the herd seroprevalence being greater than 30% by approximately six-fold. However, these variables did not exhibit a significant association (p >0.05) in the Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) logistic regression model.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that T. gondii infection is widespread among dairy cows in the south of Minas Gerais, with a wide environmental dispersion of the parasite on farms in this region.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the FAPEMIG (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais), for financial support (CBB APQ-00855/13).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG, Brazil

    Antônio Marcos Guimarães & Christiane Maria Barcellos Magalhães da Rocha

  2. Preventive Veterinary Department, Zoonoses Control Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, Capão do Leão, RS, Brazil

    Fábio Raphael Pascoti Bruhn

  3. Lavras, MG, Brazil

    Thatiane Helena de Araújo

  4. Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Science, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG, Brazil

    Cristiane Aparecida Moreira Mesquita

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  1. Antônio Marcos Guimarães
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Correspondence to Antônio Marcos Guimarães.

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Guimarães, A.M., Bruhn, F.R.P., da Rocha, C.M.B.M. et al. Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in Dairy Cows in Southeastern Brazil: Seropositive Cows on All Farms Investigated. Acta Parasit. 65, 628–635 (2020). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11686-019-00140-x

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