Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide protozoosis which can affect all warm blooded animals, birds and humans, while cats and other Felidae are the only definitive hosts of this parasite. Dairy cows become infected orally, through ingestion of feed or water contaminated with T. gondii sporulated oocysts, but also through accidental ingestion of tissue cysts from infected intermediate hosts. In cows the infection is usually asymptomatic or causes mild symptoms. Natural cases of clinical toxoplasmosis in cows are usually manifested only as abortions. This study included 428 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows from 8 small farms located in Northern Greece, which had previously reported reproductive problems. A blood sample was collected from each cow and examined by indirect immunofluorescence (IFAT) for toxoplasmosis. The results revealed an overall prevalence of 28 (6.54%) positive and 52 (12.15%) suspect cows for the parasitosis. Among positive and suspect cows 64.28% (18/28) and 30.76% (16/52), respectively, had previous records of reproductive problems. Some reproductive parameters, such as the average number of lactations per cow and the average days after birth that animals were removed from farms due to infertility were 1.75 and 55.1 in positive cows and 2.77 and 561.5, respectively, in suspect cows. This study suggests that toxoplasmosis should be included in the differential diagnosis in cow farms where reproductive problems occur in order to reduce the economic losses of farmers. It also highlights the zoonotic importance of this parasitosis as well as the need for better preventative measures.

Keywords:Toxoplasma gondii; Dairy cattle; Zoonoses; Reproduction; Farm