A serological study on the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in sheep of Lithuania

Pol J Vet Sci. 2007;10(2):83-7.

Abstract

In the present study the seroprevalence of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep was investigated in 6 regions of Lithuania. Blood samples were taken from 354 sheep and were tested using commercial ELISA method. The total seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep was 42.1%. Significant differences in seroprevalence were observed between age groups (P < or = 0.05). The results of this investigation suggest that the Toxoplasma gondii parasite is widely spread, and can be one of reasons of sheep abortion in Lithuania.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / analysis
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
  • Lithuania / epidemiology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases / blood
  • Sheep Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Sheep Diseases / etiology
  • Sheep Diseases / microbiology
  • Toxoplasma / immunology
  • Toxoplasma / isolation & purification
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / blood
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / epidemiology*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / etiology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / microbiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan