Toxoplasmosis in Sheep

Abstract

The prevalence of toxoplasma antibodies (Sabin and Feldman’s dye test) was examined in 1929 lambs and mature sheep from 4 different parts of the southern Norway. Blood samples were collected from 1377 lambs from 211 flocks at slaughtering during September and October in 1968 and 1969, and from 552 ewes from 65 flocks during the winters of 1970—1971 and 1971—1972. Toxoplasma antibodies were found in 20—39 % of the lambs, and in 42—50 % of the mature ewes. The prevalence of flocks with at least 1 dye test positive (titre ≥ 1/16) lamb ranged between 48 and 80 %, and of flocks with at least 1 dye test positive breeding ewe between 79 and 90 %. The results from each part of the country are discussed, and conclusions of regional differences in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii are deduced. In spite of variations in the epidemiological pattern, no evidence was found of significant differences in the geographical distribution of the parasite.