Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and Brucella Species in Sheep

Document Type : Original Article

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Abstract

Numerous infections are accountable for abortion in small ruminants, resulting in
significant economic repercussions, as well as possessing the potential risk for humans.
The current study was undertaken to assess the identification of different risk factors as
well as the seroprevalence associated with sheep abortion in Neospora caninum,
Toxoplasma gondii, and Brucella species infections. Ninety serum samples from sheep
were examined using ELISA to detect antibodies against Toxoplasma and Neospora. The
results revealed that 54(60%) and 7(7.7%) were seropositive for T. gondii and N.
caninum, respectively. For these samples the Rose Bengal test was used to detect
antibodies against Brucella species. The results showed that 26(28.8%) were
seropositive serologically to Brucella species. There were 17(18.8%) samples showed
mixed infection of T. gondii and B. melitensis, 4(4.4%) were mixed showed infection with
T. gondii and N. caninum, and 1(1.1%) was mixed infection between N. caninum and B.
melitensis. Only one (1.1%) sample showed mixed infection for the three infections
together. The prevalence of miscarriage in sheep was observed. The seropositivity of
toxoplasmosis, Neosporosis, and Brucellosis in sheep needs further study to elude the
transmission to human especially those of zoonotic importance, so attention should be
considered to more investigations concerning these diseases in animals and humans in
the studied area.

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