Serum IgG Levels against Two Debilitating Parasites in Household Animals in Franceville, Gabon: Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum

Background: Low local production of meat needs to be improved. This state is due in part, to abortion caused by infection. Management of livestock may be an important factor in limiting the spread of abortive parasites.

Objectives: To compare two breeding systems: (1) the rural method in which animals breed in the wild, no food is given, and there is no drinking water point and no shelter; (2) the modern type, characterized by providing food, water, shelter, fences, and hygiene.

Methodology: Anti-Toxoplasma gondii was measured with the modified agglutination test (MAT) and Neospora caninum with an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Results: Here, 212 domestic animals were screened. Sheep had the highest incidence (82.14%), followed by cattle (26%), pigs (20%), ducks (19.05%), and chickens (17.78%). When comparing the different species according to the breeding system, we found that for chickens, the rural style of breeding was associated with the highest incidence of T. gondii compared with the modern breeding method (40% versus 4%; p=0.0004). Similarly, pigs bred according to the rural method had a higher incidence compared with the modern breeding method (48% versus 0%; p=0.0001). N. caninum antibodies were present in 32.14% of sheep and 50% of goats.

Conclusion: This study suggests that incidence of N. caninum and T. gondii may vary according to the breeding method.