Toxoplasma gondii and neospora caninum prevalence and risk factors on goat farms in Kanchanaburi province, Thailand

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are apicomplexan protozoan parasites that have been associated with reproductive problems in ruminants. Despite the high seroprevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum reported in goats worldwide, little information about the seroprevalence of these parasites in goats in Thailand. In this study, we investigated the seroprevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum in 389 goat samples from five districts of Kanchanaburi province, Thailand. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) using recombinant TgGRA7 and NcSAG1 antigens was used for the detection of anti-T. gondii and anti-N. caninum antibodies, respectively. Risk factors for the occurrence of these protozoan parasites on goat farms were also assessed. Specific IgG against T. gondii and N. caninum was detected in 28.5% and 16.7% samples, respectively. Co-infections were observed in 11.8% of samples. The risk factors significantly associated with T. gondii seroprevalence was the presence of cats (odds ratio [OR]= 2.55, 95% confidential interval [CI]=1.68-3.89). The presence of other domestic animals on farm contributed to the risk of T. gondii and N. caninum infection on the goat farms (OR=1.70, 95% CI= 1.09-2.64).