ARS | Publication request: Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic goats in Durango State, Mexico

Submitted to: Veterinary Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: September 1, 2011
Publication Date: November 1, 2011
Citation: Alvarado-Esquivel, C., Garcia-Machado, C., Vitela-Corrales, J., Villena, I., Dubey, J.P. 2011. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic goats in Durango State, Mexico. Veterinary Parasitology. 183:43-46.

Interpretive Summary: Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled parasite of all warm-blooded hosts worldwide. It causes mental retardation and loss of vision in children, and abortion in livestock. Cats are the main reservoir of T. gondii because they are the only hosts that can excrete the resistant stage (oocyst) of the parasite in the feces. Humans become infected by eating undercooked meat from infected animals and food and water contaminated with oocysts. In the present study, authors report prevalence of Toxoplasma in goats destined for human consumption in Mexico. The results will be of interest to biologists, parasitologists, and public health workers.

Technical Abstract: Little is known concerning the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in goats in Mexico. Antibodies to T. gondii were determined in 562 goats in Durango, Mexico using the modified agglutination test. Goats were raised in 12 farms in two geographical regions: semi-desert (n=70) and mountains (n=492). Overall, antibodies to Toxoplasma were found in 174 (31%) of 562 goats, with titers of 1:25 in 18, 1:50 in 12, 1:100 in 10, 1:200 in 30, 1:400 in 32, 1:800 in 40, 1:1,600 in 17, and 1:3,200 or higher in 15. Seroprevalence of T. gondii increased with age, and varied with breed and geographic region; goats raised in the semi-desert region (Nubian breed) had a significantly higher seroprevalence (32.7%) than those raised in the mountains (mixed breed) (18.6%). Seropositive goats were found in all 12 (100%) farms sampled. This is the first report of T. gondii infection in goats in Durango State, Mexico. Results indicate that infected goats are likely an important source of T. gondii infection in humans in Durango State.