TOXOPLASMA GONDII AND NEOSPORA CANINUM ANTIBODIES IN DOMESTIC CHICKENS IN RIO GRANDE DO SUL, BRAZIL
Autor(es): Amanda Krummenauer, Maiara Sanitá Tafner Ferreira, Giovana Camillo, Patrícia Braünig, Jonas Fernandes Maciel, Felipe Lamberti Pivoto, Gustavo Cauduro Cadore, Luís Antônio Sangioni, Fernanda Silveira Flores Vogel
TOXOPLASMA GONDII AND NEOSPORA CANINUM ANTIBODIES IN DOMESTIC CHICKENS IN RIO GRANDE DO SUL, BRAZIL
» Área de pesquisa: PROTOZOOLOGIA
» Instituição: UFSM
» Agência de fomento e patrocinadores:
Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are two intracellular apicomplexan protozoa with a worldwide distribution, mainly responsible for reproductive disorders in sheep and cattle. These protozoa can infect a wide variety of domestic and wild animals, including birds, where free-range chickens can serve as sentinels of infection. The parasites investigation in chickens may be useful in environmental evaluation of contamination with oocysts, maintenance of the cycle disease and risk factors associated with public health. The aim of this study was highlight the importance of free-range chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) as hosts for T. gondii and N. caninum. A total of 137 serum samples from chickens of twenty three properties, in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, were collected and tested for toxoplasmosis and neosporosis by indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). At the properties level, anti-Toxoplasma and anti-Neospora antibodies were detected in 20 (87%) of 23 properties. The total prevalence of T. gondii among chickens was 74.4% (102/137) and for N. caninum 36.5% (50/137) were seropositive. For both protozoa 12.4% (17/137) had positive results. The results show that free-range chickens can serve as amplifiers of the N. caninum and T. gondii protozoa, emphasizing yours importance in the public health. Considering the high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in chickens in the region, control measures should be taken to prevent transmission of the infection to the animals and humans.
