Dinâmica da infecção natural por Neospora caninum e Toxoplasma gondii em caprinos

Abstract

Neosporosis and toxoplasmosis are among the leading causes of economic loss in the ruminant livestock industry. Different serological studies have demonstrated prevalences of N. caninum infection similar to or higher than those determined by T. gondii, the protozoan classically related to reproductive failures in sheep and goats. The performance of experimental infections in pregnant ewes and goats has demonstrated the high susceptibility of these animals to Neosporosis and to abortion. However, the range of studies is very limited and do not clarify the economic, clinical and epidemiological repercussions of N. caninum infection on reproductive disorders in these animals. The present study aimed to verify N. caninum and T. gondii natural infection dynamics in naturally infected goats during six months in a farm in the semiarid of Pernambuco. In total, 287 female goats were tested serologically (ELISA), at reproductive age and through the results obtained 73 of them were part of the experimental group, which was separated as follows: G1, composed of 13 animals, infected by T. gondii; G2, consisting of 13 animals infected by N. caninum, G3 composed of 13 animals infected by T. gondii and N. caninum, G4 composed of 34 animals that were not infected (control group). The initial prevalence for both agents on the property was 35,62% (26/73) and the lack of prophylaxis and control measures increased the incidence up to 76,6% for N. caninum and 27, 66% for T. gondii in the herd, after six months. The seroprevalence described in the study area indirectly demonstrates the agents circulation mainly by horizontal transmission in the goat herd