Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonotic parasite that can infect almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans, and infection may result in many adverse effects on animal husbandry production. Animal husbandry in Inner Mongolia is well developed, but data on T. gondii infection in sheep are lacking. In this study, we determined the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with the seroprevalence of T. gondii using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. A total of 1853 serum samples were collected from 29 counties of Xilin Gol League (n = 624), Hohhot City (n = 225), Ordos City (n = 158), Wulanchabu City (n = 144), Bayan Nur City (n = 114) and Hulunbeir City (n = 588). The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii was 15.43%. Risk factor analysis showed that seroprevalence was higher in sheep ≥12 months of age (21.85%) than that in sheep <12 months of age (10.20%) (p < 0.01). Seroprevalence was higher in male sheep (18.76%) than females (12.80%) (p < 0.01). Barn-feeding sheep (23.13%) had higher prevalence than grazing sheep (10.94%) (p < 0.01). The seroprevalence was significantly different in different districts (p < 0.01). This study shows that sheep are exposed to T. gondii in Inner Mongolia, and provides a data reference for public health and disease control.
Highlights
Toxoplasma gondii is a food-borne intracellular parasite that can infect most warm-blooded animals worldwide, even humans [9]
Antibodies against T. gondii were found in 286 out of 1853 sheep (15.43%) in this study, which was higher than that reported in Shandong in 2019 (9.84%) and Yunnan in 2015 (9.70%) [1, 22]
Gao et al reported a prevalence of 17.10% (13/76) for T. gondii infection in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, which was in the same range as the prevalence of infection in this study [4]
Summary
Toxoplasma gondii is a food-borne intracellular parasite that can infect most warm-blooded animals worldwide, even humans [9]. One-third of the human population has been exposed to T. gondii. Infection by the parasite may cause cerebral and ocular damage and even death, especially in immunodeficient patients [8, 18]. Humans are mainly infected with T. gondii by ingesting uncooked meat and water contaminated by oocysts from the environment, or by vertical transmission [2, 3, 7]. T. gondii can have a negative influence on animal growth, development and reproduction, and cause great economic loss to livestock husbandry [6]. Livestock become infected mainly by ingesting food and water contaminated with sporulated oocysts [12]
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