Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> infection in sheep of Veracruz State, southeast Mexico

Abstract

<em>Toxoplasma gondii </em>is widely prevalent in sheep and their products pose a risk to public health. The aim of this study was to identify the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with <em>T. gondii</em> infection in sheep in Veracruz State, Mexico. The study was cross-sectional and it was carried out in thirteen municipalities distributed in three regions of Veracruz State. A total of 414 blood samples were collected from four districts of Veracruz State and analyzed for <em>T. gondii</em> antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Total seroprevalence was 35.90% (149/414; 95.00% CI = 31.40-40.80). Seroprevalence by the municipality was 10.50% to 85.70% and for the district was 28.80% to 47.80%, respectively. Age, breed and productive status were identified as risk factors associated with <em>T. gondii</em> infection significantly. The infection by <em>T. gondii</em> is widely present in the districts of the Veracruz State with a high seroprevalence and risk factors associated with infection.