SEROEPIDEMIOLOGY OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII INFECTION IN DAIRY FARMS FROM AGUASCALIENTES, MEXICO.

The objective of the study was to identify the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and estimate their possible association with some risk factors in intensive management and small-scale dairy farms from Aguascalientes, Mexico. Blood samples were collected from 240 clinically healthy cows from intensive management and small-scale dairies distributed in 5 municipalities from Aguascalientes State, Mexico. Serum samples were processed by indirect immunofluorescence taking the 1:64 dilution as the cutoff point. The association between seroprevalence and possible risk factors was estimated. The general seroprevalence was 43% (103/240). In the group of intensive management dairies, seroprevalence was 40% (48/120), and in the group of small-scale dairies seroprevalence was 46% (55/120); these values were not significantly different. In all municipalities and dairies, seropositive animals were identified. Among the municipalities, the seroprevalence was 29-65%, and among dairies seroprevalence was 20-80%. Coexistence with other animals (odds ratio = 1.8) and not having a rodent control program (odds ratio = 2.1) were identified as risk factors. The identified seroprevalence is considered important regardless of the management system and suggests a high exposure to the parasite.