Seroprevalence of <it>Toxoplasma gondii</it> infection in Norwegian dairy goats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Toxoplasma gondii</it> is a major problem for the sheep industry as it may cause reproduction problems. The importance of <it>T. gondii</it> in Norwegian goat herds is uncertain, but outbreaks of toxoplasmosis in dairy goat farms have been recorded. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of <it>T. gondii</it> infection in Norwegian dairy goats by using serology.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Goat serum originally collected as part of two nationwide surveillance and control programmes between 2002 and 2008 were examined for <it>T. gondii</it> antibodies by using direct agglutination test. In total, 55 of 73 herds (75%) had one or more serologically positive animals, while 377 of 2188 (17%) of the individual samples tested positive for <it>T. gondii</it> antibodies.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This is the first prevalence study of <it>T. gondii</it> infection in Norwegian goats. The results show that Norwegian goat herds are commonly exposed to <it>T. gondii</it>. Nevertheless, the majority of goat herds have a low prevalence of antibody positive animals, which make them vulnerable to infections with <it>T. gondii</it> during the gestation period.</p

No indication of <it>Coxiella burnetii</it> infection in Norwegian farmed ruminants

Abstract Background Infection with Coxiella burnetii, the cause of Q-fever, has never been detected in Norwegian animals. Recognising the increasing prevalence of the infection in neighbouring countries, the aim of the study was to perform a survey of Norwegian farmed ruminants for the prevalence of C. burnetii infection. Results Milk and blood samples from more than 3450 Norwegian dairy cattle herds, 55 beef cattle herds, 348 dairy goat herds and 118 sheep flocks were serologically examined for antibodies against C. burnetii. All samples were negative for antibodies against C. burnetii. The estimated prevalences of infected herds were 0 (95% confidence interval: 0% - 0.12%), 0 (0% - 12%), 0 (0% - 1.2%) and 0 (0% - 10%) for dairy cattle herds, beef cattle herds, goat herds and sheep flocks, respectively. Conclusions The study indicates that the prevalence of C. burnetii infection in farmed Norwegian ruminants is low, and it cannot be excluded that Norway is free of the infection. It would be beneficial if Norway was able to maintain the current situation. Therefore, preventive measures should be continued.</p