Daniela Almeida1, João Quirino1, Patrícia Ferreira Barradas1,2, Priscilla Gomes da Silva1, Maria Pereira3,4, Rita Cruz3,5, Carla Santos3,5, Ana Cristina Mega3,6, Fernando Esteves3,5, Carmen Nóbrega3,6, Helena Vala3,6, Fátima Gärtner1,7,8, Irina Amorim1,7,8, João R Mesquita1,2. 1. Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal. 2. Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Instituto de Saúde Pública, University of Porto, 4050-091 Porto, Portugal. 3. Agrarian School of Viseu, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu (ESAV), 3500-606 Viseu, Portugal. 4. Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal. 5. Centre for Studies in Education and Health Technologies (CI&DETS), 3500-606 Viseu, Portugal. 6. Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal. 7. Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto (IPATIMUP), 4099-002 Porto, Portugal. 8. Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal.
Abstract
(1) Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonosis and one of the major causes of abortion in sheep worldwide. (2) Methods: We performed a 2-year longitudinal serological anti-T. gondii IgG screening on a cohort of a spatially confined population of a Portuguese autochthonous sheep breed in central Portugal. (3) Results: From the screening of the 2015 and 2016 sera, an increase of seroprevalence was observed (57.7% (95% CI: 49.9-65.3%) versus 69.1% (95% CI: 61.5-75.9), from 2015 and 2016, respectively) (p = 0.031). (4) Conclusions The present study is the first to provide prospective data on the anti-T. gondii serological status of a sheep cohort in Portugal, showing an increase in the occurrence of T. gondii. There is a need to provide a clearer understanding of T. gondii epidemiology in Portugal, ideally by implementing monitoring programs on sentinel herds, not only due to the high impact of T. gondii on animal health but also for it being a zoonosis.
(1) Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonosis and one of the major causes of abortion in sheep worldwide. (2) Methods: We performed a 2-year longitudinal serological anti-T. gondii IgG screening on a cohort of a spatially confined population of a Portuguese autochthonous sheep breed in central Portugal. (3) Results: From the screening of the 2015 and 2016 sera, an increase of seroprevalence was observed (57.7% (95% CI: 49.9-65.3%) versus 69.1% (95% CI: 61.5-75.9), from 2015 and 2016, respectively) (p = 0.031). (4) Conclusions The present study is the first to provide prospective data on the anti-T. gondii serological status of a sheep cohort in Portugal, showing an increase in the occurrence of T. gondii. There is a need to provide a clearer understanding of T. gondii epidemiology in Portugal, ideally by implementing monitoring programs on sentinel herds, not only due to the high impact of T. gondii on animal health but also for it being a zoonosis.
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