Risk factors for infection by Toxoplasma gondii in herds of goats in Ceará, Brazil

Abstract

In order to identify possible risk factors for T. gondii infection in goat herds in Ceará, Brazil, 2362 serum samples were tested by ELISA. The serological prevalence was 25.1%. The risk factors identified for Toxoplasma gondii infection in goat herds were age, number of cats, use of wooden feeding troughs and absence of feeding troughs. Goats older than 37 months had 2.01 (CI 95%; 1.55 - 2.61) higher risk of infection than younger animals. Greater risk of infection was observed in farms with more than 10 cats (OR = 1.73; CI 95%; 1.01 - 3.33). The use of wooden feeding troughs represented a high probability of infection (OR = 7.81; CI 95%; 1.66 - 36.67). The lack of feeding troughs also represented a high probability of infection (OR = 5.50; CI 95%; 1.24 - 24.39).