Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep in Algeria. (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ouchene, Nassim; Hamidović, Azra; Khelifi Touhami, Nadjet Amina; Aroussi, Abdelkrim; Ouchetati, Imane; Khelef, Djamel; Dahmani, Hichem; Galal, Lokman; Plault, Nicolas; Dardé, Marie-Laure; Mercier, Aurélien
• Is Part Of: Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases. Volume 95(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: Toxoplasma gondii -- Seroprevalence -- MAT -- Sheep -- Algeria; Communicable diseases in animals -- Periodicals; Veterinary immunology -- Periodicals; Veterinary microbiology -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- immunology -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- veterinary -- Periodicals; Allergy and Immunology -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; Immunologie -- Périodiques; Microbiologie -- Périodiques; Maladies infectieuses -- Périodiques; Communicable diseases; Immunology; Microbiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 636.08969
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.101960
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0147-9571

Abstract

Abstract: Toxoplasma gondii infection is recognized as one of the major causes of reproductive failure in sheep and goats. This survey was carried out in order to study the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection in sheep in Blida, Bouira and Medea regions from Algeria. The sample size was set at 220 animals distributed over 22 farms. Sera were assayed for T. gondii antibody detection by Modified Agglutination Test (MAT). The overall seroprevalence was 35.9% (79/220) with a herd seroprevalence of 77.3% (17/22). The prevalence was significantly higher in Medea (45.7% of 116 sheep), compared to Blida (27.7% of 83 sheep). Bouira region showed the lowest prevalence with 3 positive samples (14.3%) over 21 sheep. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the likelihood of T. gondii infection was higher in semi-extensive sheep breeding, in regions where the presence of cats is strong, and in highlands when compared with semi-intensive sheep breeding, weak presence of cat and in lowland, respectively. This study shows a high seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection in sheep in these areas. Highlights: Toxoplasma gondii infection is recognized as one of the major causes of reproductive failure in sheep and goats. The study of the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection in sheep in Algeria was concerned 220 animals distributed over 22 farms. Sera were analyzed by Modified Agglutination Test (MAT) and the overall seroprevalence was 35.9% (79/220) with a herd seroprevalence of 77.3% (17/22). The likelihood of T. gondii infection was higher in semi-extensive sheep breeding, in regions where the presence of cats is strong, and in highlands. This study shows a high seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection in sheep in Algeria.