Epidemiological survey of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in dairy goats in Central-Southern Taiwan
Journal
The Journal of veterinary medical science
Journal Volume
82
Journal Issue
10
Pages
1537-1544
Date Issued
2020
Author(s)
Chiang, S.-H.
Huang, H.H.
Chou, C.-C.
Chu, C.-S.
Shih, W.-L.
Lai, J.-M.
Lin, H.-C.
Lee, H.-H.
Tsai, Y.-L.
Su, Y.-C.
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are intracellular protozoan parasites that cause reproductive disorders in ruminants and humans. Information on the risk factors of T. gondii and N. caninum infections in goats is very limited in Taiwan. The aim of the study was to investigate the epidemiology and identify the risk factors of these two infections in goats. A total of 630 caprine sera were collected from 42 dairy goat farms and the owners were interviewed by a structured questionnaire. The apparent seroprevalences of T. gondii in farm-and individual-levels were respectively 88.1% and 32.22%, while those of N. caninum were 19.05% and 2.54%, respectively. Toxoplasma gondii B1 gene was identified in 7 feed samples and 8 from the water samples whereas N. caninum was not found. Wooden flooring was the main risk factor for T. gondii infection while the frequency of visits by staff to other farms and the breed of goat were risk factors for N. caninum. The improvement of flooring materials or thorough cleaning, periodic disinfection and maintenance of dryness on the floor are highly recommended for the prevention of T. gondii infection in farmed goats. In addition, unnecessary visits to other farms should be limited to prevent the spread of N. caninum. These factors should be highlighted for the prevention of T. gondii and N. caninum in goats, particularly when raised in intensive housing system with flooring on height. ?2020 The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science.
Subjects
Goat; Neospora caninum; Risk factor; Seroprevalence; Toxoplasma gondii
SDGs
Other Subjects
dimethyl sulfoxide; genomic DNA; immunoglobulin G; proteinase K; Taq polymerase; drinking water; immunoglobulin G; protozoon antibody; animal experiment; animal housing; Article; blood sampling; centrifugation; comparative study; controlled study; Cyclospora cayetanensis; dairy goat; delivery room; disinfection; DNA extraction; electrophoresis; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; farm animal; food handling; food storage; gene; gene amplification; geography; goat breed; incubation time; isothermal amplification; Neospora caninum; neosporosis; nested polymerase chain reaction; nonhuman; oocyst; prevalence; questionnaire; risk factor; rodent control; ruminant; seroprevalence; single nucleotide polymorphism; structured questionnaire; Taiwan; Toxoplasma gondii; toxoplasmosis; veterinary clinic; water disinfection; water sampling; water supply; zonal centrifugation; analysis of variance; animal; animal food; animal toxoplasmosis; blood; coccidiosis; genetics; goat; goat disease; immunology; isolation and purification; Neospora; odds ratio; parasitology; polymerase chain reaction; seroepidemiology; Toxoplasma; veterinary medicine; Analysis of Variance; Animal Feed; Animals; Antibodies, Protozoan; Coccidiosis; Drinking Water; Goat Diseases; Goats; Immunoglobulin G; Neospora; Odds Ratio; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Risk Factors; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Taiwan; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis, Animal
Type
journal article