Clementino M M, Souza M F, Andrade Neto V F
Laboratory of Malaria Biology and Toxoplasmosis, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, UFRN, Av. Sen. Salgado Filho sn, CEP 59072-970, Campus Universitário, Natal, RN, Brazil.
Vet Parasitol. 2007 May 31;146(3-4):199-203. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.02.036. Epub 2007 Apr 6.
Sheep are important domestic animals in the Northeast region of Brazil due to their minimal rearing and maintenance costs, and to their production of both meat and milk. In animals, Toxoplasma gondii infection results in significant reproductive and economic losses. The epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in sheep in the Northeast of Brazil has been little studied; particularly in Rio Grande do Norte State. Sera from 102 sheep intended for consumption in Lajes were subjected to the Toxoplasma-ELISA test to detect anti-T. gondii specific IgG confirming a past infection. Of the total tested, 30 (29.41%) sera were positive for IgG with an increasing number of positive animals with advancing age. We used IgG avidity ELISA in 30 positive samples and observed that 6 (20%) had low avidity antibodies and 24 (80%) had high avidity antibodies. Epidemiological studies are required in order to identify sources of infection for these hosts as well as their impact on animal breeding in the region and risk of transmission to humans.
由于饲养和维护成本极低，且能产肉产奶，绵羊是巴西东北部重要的家畜。在动物中，弓形虫感染会导致重大的繁殖和经济损失。巴西东北部绵羊弓形虫病的流行病学研究很少；特别是在北里奥格兰德州。对拉热什市102只供食用的绵羊血清进行弓形虫ELISA检测，以检测抗弓形虫特异性IgG，确认既往感染情况。在所有检测的血清中，30份（29.41%）IgG呈阳性，且随着年龄增长，阳性动物数量增加。我们对30份阳性样本进行了IgG亲和力ELISA检测，发现6份（20%）有低亲和力抗体，24份（80%）有高亲和力抗体。需要开展流行病学研究，以确定这些宿主的感染源、其对该地区动物养殖的影响以及传播给人类的风险。
