Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in Norwegian dairy goats |
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Authors: | Marit Stormoen Jorun Tharaldsen Petter Hopp |
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Affiliation: | 1.Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, P.O. Box 8146 Dep, NO-0033, Oslo, Norway;2.Norwegian Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 750 Sentrum, NO-0106, Oslo, Norway |
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Abstract: | BackgroundToxoplasma gondii is a major problem for the sheep industry as it may cause reproduction problems. The importance of T. gondii in Norwegian goat herds is uncertain, but outbreaks of toxoplasmosis in dairy goat farms have been recorded. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of T. gondii infection in Norwegian dairy goats by using serology.FindingsGoat serum originally collected as part of two nationwide surveillance and control programmes between 2002 and 2008 were examined for T. gondii antibodies by using direct agglutination test. In total, 55 of 73 herds (75%) had one or more serologically positive animals, while 377 of 2188 (17%) of the individual samples tested positive for T. gondii antibodies.ConclusionsThis is the first prevalence study of T. gondii infection in Norwegian goats. The results show that Norwegian goat herds are commonly exposed to T. gondii. Nevertheless, the majority of goat herds have a low prevalence of antibody positive animals, which make them vulnerable to infections with T. gondii during the gestation period. |
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Keywords: | Toxoplasma gondii Goats Norway Prevalence Serology |
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