High Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum Infections Among Goats in Mexico Is Associated with Climatic, Environmental, and Risk Factors.

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are intracellular protozoan parasites that cause reproductive failure and production losses in ruminants. Considering the limited information on the epidemiology of these infections in goats in different climate regions, this study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence and potential risk factors associated with parasitic infections in Mexico. Blood samples were collected from 627 goats in dry and temperate climates in two different states. The levels of T. gondii and N. caninum IgG antibodies were determined using commercially available ELISA kits. The prevalence of T. gondii in the dry and temperate climate, dry climate alone, and temperate climate alone were 52.0%, 57.1%, and 48%, respectively. The prevalence of N. caninum in the dry and temperate climate, dry climate alone, and temperate climate alone were 15.5%, 19.0%, and 12.7%, respectively. Using animal characteristics and farm management information obtained from a questionnaire and remotely sensed climate data, bivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with parasite infections. Significant differences in the seroprevalence of T. gondii in goats were observed between sexes in the temperate climate. The history of abortion was the most significant risk factor for T. gondii in the dry climate. Factors such as goat age and history of abortion were significantly associated with high seropositivity of N. caninum in the dry climate. Sex and the presence of cats were identified as significant factors for T. gondii in regions with a dry and temperate climate. Abortion and climate regions were common risk factors for these infections in the dry and temperate climate regions. The results indicate that regionally adapted monitoring and control programmes may be developed to reduce the prevalence of these two parasites and reduce production losses in the livestock industry.