Pesquisa de anticorpos anti-toxoplasma gondii em muares e asininos na região Nordeste do Brasil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate antibodies anti-Toxoplasma gondii in sera from donkeys and mules raised in the Northeast of Brazil. We used 483 samples (395 mules and 88 donkeys) from four states in Northeastern Brazil (Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba and Sergipe). For the detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii was used the technique of Indirect Immunofluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT) with a cut off 64. Observed frequencies of 23.8% and 43.2% positivity for mules and donkeys, respectively. The state of Pernambuco had the highest frequency of positive samples (29.2%).There was a statistically significant difference in relation to specie (p<0.001) and state (p=0.048). This study is the pioneer in notifying the occurrence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in mules and donkeys in the studied States. And it must be considered as an essential alert to the responsible health authorities regarding the eminent risk of equine meat ingestion.