Seroprevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in pigs in southern Piauí

• Published in: Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 98 - 100
• Main Authors: de Sousa, Richard Átila, Lemos, Jezlon da Fonseca, Farias, Leonardo Atta, Lopes, Carla Duque, dos Santos, Karina Rodrigues
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária 01.03.2014; Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria
• Subjects: Animals; Antibodies, Protozoan - blood; Brazil - epidemiology; Female; Male; PARASITOLOGY; Piauí; pig; Risk Factors; Seroepidemiologic Studies; seroprevalence; Swine; Swine Diseases - blood; Swine Diseases - epidemiology; Toxoplasma - immunology; Toxoplasmosis; Toxoplasmosis, Animal - blood; Toxoplasmosis, Animal - epidemiology; VETERINARY SCIENCES; Brazil; soroprevalência; Toxoplasmosis; seroprevalence; Piauí; Toxoplasmose; suínos; pig
• ISSN: 1984-2961; 1984-2961
• DOI: 10.1590/S1984-29612014015

This study is aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in pigs. We evaluated 143 pigs, in 10 randomly-chosen farms located in Southern Piauí. The pig's blood serum was analyzed through ELISA in detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies. A seroprevalence of 25.5% was observed in the pigs that reacted against T. gondii antigens. The data from the records demonstrated an association with some factors such as: age, diet, type of management, breed and presence of cats in the farms with a prevalence of T. gondii. With the exception of sex, all others features represent risk factors for T. gondii infection. Furthermore, our data contributed to the understanding of the T. gondii seroprevalence in pig farms located in Southern Piauí.