BATISTA, S. P.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/4650660924252489; BATISTA, Samira Pereira.
Abstract:
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, which has felids as
its definitive host, however, it can parasitize other warm-blooded animals, including goats. The
disease is transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated water and food, and in a congenital
way through vertical transmission, which can cause reproductive disorders such as abortion,
stillbirth, delay in the estrous cycle and others. This dissertation consists of two chapters, the
first consists of a literature review related to Toxoplasmosis in goats and the second is a
scientific article that aimed to determine the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies, the
factors associated with goat infection in the state of Paraíba and to isolate strains of the
protozoan in samples of goat tissues intended for human consumption. Serum samples from
229 goats slaughtered in Paraíba were tested using the Indirect Immunofluorescence Reaction
(RIFI), with a cut-off point of 1:64. The seroprevalence found was 21.39% (49/229), the
antibody titers ranged from 1:64 to 1: 32.768. The municipality of origin Patos (OR:3.047),
[IC:1.384-6.706] and Sousa (OR:3.355), [IC:1.536-7.327] were considered factors associated
with the infection. 38 bioassays were performed on mice from seropositive goat tissues with an
isolation rate of 50% (19/38). There was no correlation between isolation rate and antibody
titers. Only one mouse died 30 days after infection, which shows low virulence for mice of the
isolated strains. These results demonstrate the high seroprevalence in goats in the state of
Paraíba, as well as the considerable percentage of viable tissue cysts in animals slaughtered for
human consumption.