Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep and cattle from Fernando de Noronha Island, Brazil

A study on Fernando de Noronha Island, Brazil, revealed significantly higher prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep (85.0%) compared to cattle (10.7%), highlighting distinct risk factors for each species. For sheep, contact with felines emerged as a critical risk factor, while cattle showed higher infection rates linked to extensive farming systems, water sources, the presence of more than three cats per farm, and rat infestation in feed storage areas. The research employed indirect immunofluorescence assays on serum samples from all animals across farms, followed by univariate analysis and logistic regression to identify these factors. This study underscores the impact of environmental and management practices on Toxoplasma gondii transmission in insular ruminant populations.

Magalhães, F. J. R., Ribeiro-Andrade, M., Alcântara, A. M. d., Pinheiro Júnior, J. W., Sena, M. J. d., Porto, W. J. N., Vieira, R. F. d. C., & Mota, R. A. (2016). Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep and cattle from Fernando de Noronha Island, Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária, 25(4), 511–515. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612016051