Evidence of Toxoplasma gondii Exposure in Boer Goat Herds in Missouri, USA. (20th November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yaglom, H. D.; Rottinghaus, A. A.; Pithua, P.
• Is Part Of: Zoonoses and public health. Volume 61:Number 6(2014)
• Page Start: 395
• Page End: 397
• Publication Date: 2013-11-20
• Subjects: Zoonoses -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 636.0896959
• DOI: 10.1111/zph.12089
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1863-1959

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="zph12089-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p>Limited data currently exist on the prevalence of Toxoplasma infections in goats in the USA. The objective of this pilot investigation was to determine the prevalence of <italic>Toxoplasma gondii</italic> antibodies in Boer goats raised in Missouri. Sera collected from 367 Boer goats in 24 herds were tested using a commercial latex agglutination assay. Evidence of <italic>T. gondii</italic> antibodies was present in 25 of the 367 goats, with titres of 1 : 32 in 4, 1 : 64 in 11, 1 : 128 in 5, 1 : 256 in 3 and 1 : 1024 in 2. Estimates for the apparent animal‐level and between‐herd prevalence were 6.8% (95% CI = 4.7–9.9%) and 41.7% (95% CI = 24.5–61.2%). These results confirm that Boer goats in Missouri are exposed to <italic>T. gondii</italic> and may constitute a public health risks.</p> </abstract>