A 2-Year Longitudinal Seroepidemiological Evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in a Cohort of Autochthonous Sheep from Central Portugal

• DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10010040
• Publication Date: 2021-01-06T14:15:16Z
• Authors: Daniela Almeida; João Quirino; Patrícia Ferreira...; Priscilla Gomes d...; Maria Pereira; Rita Cruz; Carla Santos; Ana Cristina Mega; Fernando Esteves; Carmen Nóbrega; Helena Vala; Fátima Gärtner; Irina Amorim; João R. Mesquita
• Keywords: Seroprevalence; Zoonosis; Toxoplasmosis

(1) Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonosis and one of the major causes abortion in sheep worldwide. (2) Methods: We performed a 2-year longitudinal serological anti-T. IgG screening on cohort spatially confined population Portuguese autochthonous breed central Portugal. (3) Results: From 2015 2016 sera, increase seroprevalence was observed (57.7% (95% CI: 49.9–65.3%) versus 69.1% 61.5–75.9), from 2016, respectively) (p = 0.031). (4) Conclusions The present study first to provide prospective data status Portugal, showing occurrence T. gondii. There need clearer understanding epidemiology ideally by implementing monitoring programs sentinel herds, not only due high impact animal health but also for it being zoonosis.