AUTHOR=Hu Xiao-Hui , Xie Shi-Chen , Liang Qin-Li , Sun Li-Xiu , Li Zhao , Yang Jian-Fa , Zhu Xing-Quan , Zou Feng-Cai , He Jun-Jun 

TITLE=Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infection in black goats in Yunnan Province, Southwestern China

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.975238

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2022.975238

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Toxoplasma gondii</italic> and <italic>Neospora caninum</italic> are two obligate intracellular protozoan parasites that can cause reproductive failure and production losses. To date, there is no data of <italic>T. gondii</italic> and <italic>N. caninum</italic> seroprevalence in black goats in Yunnan Province, southwestern China. In the present study, a total of 734 serum samples were collected from black goats in four different counties of Yunnan Province. 734 and 590 serum samples were examined for antibodies against <italic>T. gondii</italic> and <italic>N. caninum</italic> by using MAT and indirect ELISA, respectively. A total of 123 and 76 samples were <italic>T. gondii-</italic>positive and <italic>N. caninum</italic>-positive, respectively. The overall seroprevalence of <italic>T. gondii</italic> in black goats was 16.76% (123/734, 95% CI: 14.06–19.46) with the titer ranged from 1:25 to 1:3200. The seroprevalence of <italic>N. caninum</italic> was 12.88% (76/590, 95% CI: 10.18–15.58). There was significant difference in seroprevalence of <italic>N. caninum</italic> in different regions (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.01, χ<sup>2</sup> = 30.63) and age groups (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05, χ<sup>2</sup> = 11.85). Significant differences in seroprevalence of <italic>T. gondii</italic> were observed in different regions (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05, χ<sup>2</sup> = 9.21) and different gender groups (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.01, χ<sup>2</sup> = 12.29). Results of seroprevalence of <italic>T. gondii</italic> and <italic>N. caninum</italic> indicated that <italic>T. gondii</italic> and <italic>N. caninum</italic> were prevalent parasites in black goats in Yunnan Province. This is the first report of seroprevalence of <italic>T. gondii</italic> and <italic>N. caninum</italic> in black goats in Yunnan Province. The results of this study indicated that some measures should be taken to control these two parasites and to reduce economic losses to the livestock industry in Yunnan Province.</p>