Soroprevalência de Toxoplasma gondii em caprinos de propriedades da Região Metropolitana da Grande Vitória, Espírito Santo

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii, the etiological agent of toxoplasmosis, is described as a potential cause of abortion in goats, causing great economic impacts, being considered more pathogenic in this species than in other animals of zootechnical interest. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of goats infected with T. gondii in different municipalities in the Metropolitan Region of Grande Vitória and to identify possible risk factors for this infection. A total of 146 goat serum samples from the municipalities of Cariacica, Serra, and Vila Velha were analyzed. By applying, an epidemiological questionnaire, data from the animals and the properties sampled were collected. The presence of IgG Class Immunoglobulins was evaluated by Indirect Immunofluorescence Reaction (IFAT) and Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The IgG Avidity Test was performed to estimate the infection time. The presence of IgG anti-T. gondii was 46.6% (68/146) in the evaluation of serological tests. The risk factors observed in the infection caused by T. gondii in goats were female sex (OR= 2.81 95%CI 1.03 - 7.61), age group over two years old (OR= 3.5 95%CI 1.21 - 10.1), water originating from the public supply network (OR= 7.92 CI95% 1.77 - 35.47), storage of food and supplies in an open and unprotected place (OR= 11.13 CI95 % 3.77 - 32.8) and presence of a domestic cat on the property (OR= 8.1 95%CI 2.65 - 24.71). It was observed that 70.6% (48/68) of the sera had high avidity IgG antibodies and 29.4% (20/68) had low avidity IgG antibodies, suggesting that most infected animals were chronic. Goats domiciled in the Metropolitan Region of Grande Vitória had a high prevalence of infection and, in Espírito Santo, there are risk factors that trigger T. gondii infection in herds. This is the first study carried out in the State of Espírito Santo on the seroepidemiology of caprine toxoplasmosis.