Impact of environmental factors on Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii infection in breeding ewes from western Mexico

Abstract

In Mexico, Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii are major causes of reproductive problems in sheep. Understanding the environmental factors that influence the spread of these parasites is crucial for developing effective control strategies. The objective of this study was to identify the environmental factors associated with N. caninum and T. gondii infections in sheep in western Mexico. Blood samples were collected from 184 sheep and determine seroprevalence using the ELISA test. Based on the seroprevalence data and information about the climatic regions and geographic characteristics, logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the environmental factors associated with N. caninum and T. gondii infections. Antibodies for N. caninum were found in 27 of the 184 blood samples. The environmental risk factors associated with N. caninum were Köppen climate area Ca(w1) with an OR = 6.55 and rainfall (700–800 mm) with an OR = 3.23. For T. gondii, antibodies were detected in 113 of the 184 sheep sampled. The main risk factors were Köppen climate area Cb(w1) with an OR = 10.5 and rainfall (900–1000 mm) with an OR = 4.6. Identifying these factors is crucial for developing more effective control strategies to reduce the incidence of these infections and improve the reproductive health of sheep flocks in the region.