Toxoplasmosis in sheep. The prevalence of toxoplasma antibodies in lambs and mature sheep from different parts of Norway
Waldeland, H.
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 17(4): 432-440
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-605X PMID: 1015475 Document Number: 96418
The prevalence of toxoplasma antibodies was examined in 1929 lambs and mature sheep from four parts of 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 lambs, and in 42-50% of mature ewes. The prevalence of flocks with at least one lamb positive to the dye test (titre 1/16) ranged between 48 and 80%, and of flocks with at least one 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.