Keywords
Neosporosis
Reproductive problems
Toxoplasmosis
Zoonotic parasite.
How to Cite
Funding data
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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
Grant numbers 406572/2022–4
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite that can infect mammals and birds, posing a risk to human health. It can cause reproductive disorders in small ruminants. Neospora caninum affects ruminants, especially cattle, and causes abortions; however, studies have also reported reproductive alterations in sheep and goats. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence and epidemiological aspects of infection by T. gondii and N. caninum in goats in northern Paraná, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 321 animals on eight goat farms in northern Paraná. IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies were analyzed using an indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFA), with cutoff points of 64 for T. gondii and 50 for N. caninum. Of the 321 animals analyzed, 110 (34.3%) were seropositive for T. gondii and 33 (10.3%) were seropositive for N. caninum. Eight farms (100%) were seropositive for T. gondii and seven (87.5%) were seropositive for N. caninum. Statistically significant associations were observed between seropositivity for T. gondii and a history of abortions and the presence of cats on the property. Investigation of the seroprevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum is essential for implementing measures to control and prevent toxoplasmosis and neosporosis in Northern Paraná.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Fernando ´Pietrini Soufen, Jorgeana Guadanhini Negrizolli, Amanda Filus Marchese, Mateus Siqueira Pyles, Amanda Fonseca Zangirolamo, Rafaela Maria Boson Jurkevicz, Ana Carolina Cavallieri, João Pedro Sasse, Fernando de Souza Rodrigues, João Luis Garcia