Spatial Analysis of Infections by Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum (Protozoa: Apicomplexa) in Small Ruminants in Northern Italy

摘要

and are among the major abortifacient pathogens in sheep and goats. Environmental risk factors may contribute to the spread of both protozoans among sheep and goats. In this study, the spatial analysis provided additional information useful to study the patterns of distribution and spread of diseases, increasing the comprehension of the association between disease processes and explanatory environmental variables. The research aimed to explore whether geographical or environmental factors could influence the infections by and in sheep and goats in northern Italy and identify areas at risk of infection. A heterogenic distribution of seroprevalence both pathogens was highlighted in the study area with areas at high or low risk according to the protozoan. Particularly, annual temperature, rainfall, and their association enhanced the risk of and infection among sheep. Otherwise, the risk for goats to acquire those infections did not depend on environmental or geographical features, but instead on factors associated with individual characteristics or farm management. The results observed in this study suggest spatial analysis is a useful tool to implement control measures to prevent these important protozoan diseases for small ruminant breeding.