Epidemiological factors associated with anti-toxoplasma seropositivity in aborted Ewes in Nineveh Governorate, Iraq

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to examine the epidemiological factors associated with anti-toxoplasma seropositivity in aborted ewes in the Nineveh governorate in Iraq. Serum collected from a total of 213 aborted ewes was examined using the Latex agglutination test, and the titer of 1/16 was set as a cut-off titer for the seropositivity. Logistic regression was applied to examine the association of different epidemiological factors with the seropositivity. The prevalence of anti-toxoplasma seropositivity in aborted ewes was 61.5%. The seropositivity was greater in 3 and 4 years-old ewes compared to those ≤ 2-years-old, and higher in flocks > 200 head compared to smaller flocks. The prevalence of potential recent infection was 26%. Recent infection was not identified in ewes with the last stages of gestation. The odds of recent infection were higher in aborted ewes during summer-autumn season than those aborted in winter-spring, and greater in flocks < 100 head compared to flocks > 200 head. The study concluded that Toxoplasma gondii infection is not negligible and could be considered a crucial pathogenic cause of abortion in ewes in the Nineveh governorate. Finally, flock management system is an important factor that can influence the prevalence of T. gondii in the governorate.