Metabolic Profiles Associated with Toxoplasma gondii Infestation in Goats and Sheep in Cameroon

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis has important implications for animal productivity and health, as well as for human health and welfare. The present study was to identify the metabolic factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infestation in sheep and goats in Cameroon. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 200 small ruminant farms during a period from April to October 2021. A total of 1061 small ruminants were sampled and the serums obtained were analyzed first with the indirect multi-species ELISA for toxoplasmosis and then once the groups were formed, some metabolic parameters were analyzed in both the control and the T. gondii infested animals groups in order to highlight the parameters associated with toxoplasmic infestation. 329 animals tested positive for T. gondii with an individual prevalence of 31.01% (95% CI: 28.23 - 33.79). A positive and significant association was obtained between the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and variations in albumin (p=0.015), ALT (p=0.001) and progesterone (p=0.03). Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and region (p=0.0001), species (p=0.0001), sex (p=0.0002), age (p=0.0002) and breed (p=0.01), production targets (p=0.04) and hygiene level (p=0.04). Several physiological factors were associated with significant (p<0.05) variation in albumin, ALT and progesterone in Toxoplasma gondii infested small ruminants, including age and gestation. Infestation of sheep and goats with T. gondii promotes severe increase in albumin and alanine aminotransferase, and significant hypoprogesteronemia that can lead to abortion. Understanding the factors associated with this infestation is essential for the implementation of effective control programs to reduce its impact on small ruminant farms.