Occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in meat and dairy goat herds in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which is the main causative agent of abortion in small ruminants. Goats are among the animals that are most susceptible to this protozoon, and the disease that it causes leads to significant economic losses and has implications for public health, since presence of the parasite in products of goat origin is one of the main sources of human infection. Because of the significant economic impact, there is an urgent need to study the prevalence of T. gondii infection among goats in Sertão do Cabugi, which is the largest goat-producing region in Rio Grande do Norte. In the present study, the ELISA assay was used to test 244 serum samples from nine farms, located in four different municipalities in the Sertão do Cabugi region, which is an important goat-rearing region. The results showed that the prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies was 47.1% and that there was a significant association between positivity and the variables of age (≥ 34 months), location (Lajes, Angicos and Afonso Bezerra) and farm (all the farms). The avidity test was applied to all the 115 ELISA-positive samples to distinguish between acute and chronic infection. One hundred and three samples (89.6%) displayed high-avidity antibodies, thus indicating that most of the animals presented chronic infection, with a consequent great impact on the development of the goat production system and a risk to human health.

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Toxoplasma gondii in goats from Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil: risks factors and epidemiology

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612012000100009 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 42-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Guilherme Garcia ◽

Cristina Sotomaior ◽

Aguinaldo José do Nascimento ◽

Italmar Teodorico Navarro ◽

Vanete Thomaz Soccol

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Antibody Test ◽

Human Infection ◽

Control Measures ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Eastern State ◽

One Year ◽

Immunofluorescence Antibody Test

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan with wide geographical distribution and minimal parasitic specificity that affects many species of wild and domestic animals. In livestock, especially in small ruminants like goats, toxoplasmosis can cause abortion and the birth of weak animals, leading to economic losses to farmers, and is a major source of human infection. This is a seroepidemiological study of toxoplasmosis in goats in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Sera from 405 goats from the metropolitan mesoregion of Curitiba, eastern state, were tested by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Information on properties and goat characteristics was also collected using questionnaires. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis was 39.41 and 35.96% by ELISA and IFAT, respectively. T. gondii antibody prevalence increased with age. The risk factors for T. gondii infection in goats were: age over one year; exposure to cats, type of management and purpose of breeding. Other epidemiological factors and relevant control measures are discussed in the current study.

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Use of Dense Granule Antigen GRA6 in an Immunoglobulin G Avidity Test To Exclude Acute Toxoplasma gondii Infection during Pregnancy

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology ◽

10.1128/cvi.00199-10 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 17 (9) ◽

pp. 1349-1355 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Hossein Elyasi ◽

Jalal Babaie ◽

Hélène Fricker-Hidalgo ◽

Marie-Pierre Brenier-Pinchart ◽

Mehrak Zare ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Immunoglobulin G ◽

Chronic Infection ◽

Dense Granule ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

High Avidity ◽

Igg Antibodies ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Recent Infection ◽

Igg Avidity

ABSTRACT The usefulness of a specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) avidity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on recombinant GRA6 antigen for distinguishing between acute and chronic Toxoplasma infection was investigated. Two sets of serum samples obtained from pregnant women with acute, chronic, or no Toxoplasma infection collected in France and Iran were used. Among the French subjects, 19 of 20 (95%) women who experienced seroconversion during the past 4 months before sampling displayed low-avidity IgG antibodies against GRA6, while all 17 (100%) women with chronic infection had high-avidity antibodies. When the Euroimmun IgG avidity ELISA was used, 15 of 19 (78.9%) recently infected women had low-avidity antibodies, and 20 of 22 (90.9%) women with chronic infection displayed high-avidity antibodies. The results suggested better performance of the GRA6 avidity ELISA than the Euroimmun avidity ELISA for exclusion of a recent infection occurring less than 4 months previously. Similarly, all 35 Iranian women with acute Toxoplasma infection had low-avidity antibodies against GRA6, whereas all 34 women with chronic infection displayed IgG antibodies of high avidity, indicating the value of GRA6 avidity testing for ruling out a recent infection. Avidity tests based on lysed whole-cell Toxoplasma gondii antigen are currently used to exclude recently acquired infections; however, the use of recombinant antigen(s) might improve the diagnostic performance of avidity tests and facilitate the development of more standardized assays.

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Serological Investigation of Peste Des Petits Ruminants in East Shewa and Arsi Zones, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Veterinary Medicine International ◽

10.1155/2017/9769071 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Getachew Gari ◽

Biressaw Serda ◽

Dejene Negesa ◽

Fethu Lemma ◽

Hagos Asgedom

Keyword(s):

Significant Variation ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Control Measures ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

High Seroprevalence ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Male And Female ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Important Disease

Peste des petits ruminant (PPR) is an economically important disease of small ruminants with a rapidly expanding geographical distribution. There are fragmented reports to the occurrence and distribution of the disease in Ethiopia. A total of 700 serum samples were collected from goats and sheep to detect the presence of antibody against PPR virus using Competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (C-ELISA). An overall PPR seropositivity was reported to be 48.43% in the area. There is no statistically significant difference in the seroprevalence of the disease between sheep and goats (50.85% and 46.68%), respectively. However, there was statistically significant variation (P<0.05) in the seroprevalence of the disease in young (33.9%) and adult (55.8%) age categories. The seroprevalence in male and female was 42.07% and 50.09%, respectively, where the variation was statistically not significant (P>0.05). High seroprevalence of Peste des petites ruminants in the study area indicated the virus circulation and endemicity of the disease. The disease causes substantial economic losses by affecting the livelihood of the farmers. Therefore, control measures should be put in place to minimize the loss associated with the disease.

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Mycoplasma agalactiae in Dairy Goat Flocks Bred in State of Ceará in Association with Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus

Acta Scientiae Veterinariae ◽

10.22456/1679-9216.86091 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 46 (1) ◽

pp. 7

Author(s):

Renato Mesquita Peixoto ◽

Alice Andrioli ◽

Raymundo Rizaldo Pinheiro ◽

Francisco Selmo Fernandes Alves ◽

Vanderlan Warlington Souza Dos Santos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Milk Production ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

The State ◽

Encephalitis Virus ◽

Control Measures ◽

Dairy Goat ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus ◽

Mycoplasma Agalactiae

Background: Contagious agalactia is an infectious disease caused by Mycoplasma agalactiae (M. agalactiae) that occurs in small ruminants leading to productive and economic losses. Due to the similarity of clinical signs presented in Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE), which is a viral disease, a differential diagnosis is important. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the presence of anti-Mycoplasma agalactiae antibodies in dairy goat flocks in Ceará State and possible correlation with CAE.Materials, Methods & Results: The research was performed in four mesoregions in Ceará State (Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza-MRF; Northeast Ceará - NeC; North Ceará - NC; Sertões in Ceará - SC), from which 16 productions located in 10 cities with the highest representativeness for goat milk production within the State or mesoregion were sampled. A total of 417 females and 69 males (486 animals) of breeds with dairy production aptitude, pure or crossbreed, maintained in semi-intensive or intensive systems, were tested. Blood serum was obtained by venipuncture of the jugular vein with vacuum pressure syringe followed by centrifugation at 1,500 g for 10min. Antibodies against the caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) were detected with micro technique of agarose gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and Western Blot (WB). The anti-Mycoplasma agalactiae antibodies were detected with commercial kit of enzymatic immunoassay (IDEXX Laboratories™). Seroprevalence of M. agalactiae in dairy goat flocks in Ceará State was 0.62% (3/486). From the total of 16 visited productions, 18.75% (3/16) had seropositive animals for M. agalactiae located in MRF, NC and SC mesoregions. CAE was diagnosed in 56.25% (9/16) of productions with AGID and in 81.25% (13/16) with WB. In addition, 5.2% (25/486) of animals were seropositive for CAE with AGID and 16.6% (80/486) with WB. Animals that reacted positive for M. agalactiae were all females of pure breed with milk production aptitude in distinct mesoregions submitted to intensive rearing system. None of these animals was positive in neither test (AGID or WB) for CAE. Therefore, no correlation of results obtained in diagnosis of M. agalactiae by ELISA and CAEV by AGID or WB (P < 0.05) was identified. However, two out of three productions that were positive for M. agalactiae presented positive results for CAEV with frequencies of 10% and 20%.Discussion: Seroprevalence of M. agalactiae in Ceará State was low in comparison with other Brazilian states and even other countries. However, the presence of the pathogen in more than one mesoregion indicates that the disease occurs in different locations within the State. Therefore, flocks in Ceará are susceptible to the infection, which may be favored by uncontrolled commerce that occurs with deficient surveillance, associated with the importation of animals to improve flock genetic quality. The presence of the pathogen in dairy goats may contribute to significant losses in the local production. On the other hand, CAE was diagnosedin nearly all productions proving the dissemination of this lentivirus infection among dairy goat flocks in Ceará State. Although an association between these diseases was not identified, the presence of a retrovirus in the organism may favor co-infection with another micro-organism, promoting the deficiency in the immune system of the host. In conclusion, M. agalactiae is present in different mesoregions of the Ceará State and control measures should be adopted in short term to prevent pathogen dissemination and, consequently reduce economic and productive losses in the local dairy goat production. No correlation was identified between the prevalence of infection by CAEV and M. agalactiae in this study.Keywords: correlation, diagnosis, caprine lentivirus, mycoplasmosis.

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Sheep Brucellosis in Kuwait: A Large-Scale Serosurvey, Identification of Brucella Species and Zoonotic Significance

Veterinary Sciences ◽

10.3390/vetsci7030132 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 132 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yousef Al-Sherida ◽

Adel H. El-Gohary ◽

Amro Mohamed ◽

Mohamed El-Diasty ◽

Gamal Wareth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Health Impact ◽

Control Measures ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Tissue Samples ◽

High Prevalence ◽

History Of ◽

Combined Action

Brucellosis is a common zoonotic disease of major concern in humans of Kuwait, and B. melitensis causes most human cases. The disease is endemic in small ruminants, cattle, and camels for decades, causing substantial economic losses in livestock production. However, a nationwide large-scale investigation of brucellosis in the small ruminant population has not been done in the past two decades. A serosurvey of sheep brucellosis in the five districts of Kuwait with most animal production farms was done between 2016 and 2019. In total, 67,054 serum samples from 233 sheep herds were collected and tested. Additionally, milk and tissue samples were collected from 46 seropositive cases for bacteriology. Thirty persons from seven seropositive farms were tested by serology. The incidence of seropositive cases was 7% in districts devoid of vaccination, while it was 4.7% in farms with history of vaccination. The serosurvey revealed that 89% of non-vaccinated herds (n = 181) were seropositive by Rose Bengal test (RBT), buffered acidified plate antigen test (BAPAT), and complement fixation test (CFT). Prevalence of 100% was reported for non-vaccinated sheep herds from Al-Wafrah and Al-Jahra districts, followed by those from Al-Salmi (88.24%), Al-Abdali (86.7%) and Kabd (75.6%). Implementation of vaccination with B. melitensis Rev.1 vaccine and test-and-slaughters in 20 herds reduced the seroprevalence to 33.3% and 25% in herds from Al-Jahra and AL-Wafrah, respectively. B. melitensis was isolated from 20 samples (43.5%). More than half of the examined animal owners (56.6%) tested positive for Brucella using RBT, BAPAT and CFT. The high numbers of infected herds and high prevalence in herdsmen are alarming. Thus, control measures have to be ensured immediately. The epidemiological situation in Kuwait is similar to those of the neighboring countries and the combined action of these states is needed. The understanding of the economic and public health impact of brucellosis in Kuwait needs to grow.

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Estimation of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in sheep in Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria

Open Veterinary Science ◽

10.1515/ovs-2020-0107 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 65-71

Author(s):

Abdelkrim Aroussi ◽

Ahmed Megharbi ◽

Meghit Boumediene Khaled ◽

Hadj Labdouni ◽

Kadi Diafi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Human Infection ◽

Health Concern ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Public Health Concern ◽

Elisa Kit ◽

Sheep Meat ◽

The Impact ◽

Insight Into

Abstract Sheep are considered as an important reservoir of human Toxoplasma gondii infections, although more recent data on the prevalence of T. gondii in sheep in Algeria are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of T. gondii in sheep to obtain a better insight into the importance of sheep as reservoirs of human infection. A commercial ELISA kit, which detects antibodies against T. gondii, was utilized to test 269 sera collected from yearling sheep in the municipal slaughterhouse of Sidi-Bel-Abbes city between October 2020 and February 2021. Simultaneously, we assessed the cut-off as recommended by the manufacturer (S/P>50%) and the bootstrap statistical model to estimate the optimal cut-off value (OD = 0.12). The overall seroprevalence was estimated at 34.2% (92/269) using the ELISA kit cut-off and 50.5% (136/269) using the bootstrapped cut-off, being significantly higher compared to sheep from other regions in Algeria. In conclusion, the seroprevalence of T. gondii in sheep was elevated, constituting, therefore, a major public health concern, as sheep meat could be a significant source of T. gondii infection for human consumers. Further studies are required to estimate the impact of abortion among livestock animals caused by T. gondii infection such as sheep, where it could lead to considerable economic losses.

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Serological survey of Coxiella burnetii infections in dairy cattle, sheep, goats and zoo animals in Hungary – Short communication

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica ◽

10.1556/004.2021.00016 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Attila Dobos ◽

István Fodor ◽

Gerda Kiss ◽

Miklós Gyuranecz

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Coxiella Burnetii ◽

Large Scale ◽

Q Fever ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Human Infection ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Ruminant Species ◽

Zoo Animals

AbstractQ fever is a disease of high zoonotic potential, but interest in its causative agent is rather low although it causes some public health problems in Hungary. The prevalence of Q fever is highly variable by country. The main reservoirs of the disease are the same domestic ruminant species everywhere, but the epidemiological profile depends on the features of the specific reservoir. The aim of this large-scale study was to demonstrate the importance of Q fever in different species as a possible source for human infection in most regions of Hungary. A total of 851 serum samples from 44 dairy farms, 16 sheep flocks, 4 goat farms and 3 zoos located in different parts of Hungary were tested. The presence of antibodies to Coxiella burnetii was surveyed in dairy cattle (n = 547), goats (n = 71), sheep (n = 200) and zoo animals (n = 33). The animal species tested in Hungary showed different seroprevalence values of C. burnetii infection. Seropositivity by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was found in 258 out of 547 (47.2%) cows and in 69 out of 271 (25.5%) small ruminants, among them in 47 out of 200 (23.5%) sheep and in 22 out of 71 (31.0%) goats. Antibodies to C. burnetii were not detected in zoo animals. Seropositivity was demonstrated in 44 out of 44 (100%) dairy cattle farms, with at least one serum sample found to be positive on each farm. The seropositivity rate of small ruminant farms was 55.0% (11 positive out of 20 tested), with 9 out of 16 (56.3%) sheep flocks and 2 out of 4 (50.0%) goat herds showing seropositivity.

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Antibodies against Neospora caninum, Sarcocystis spp. and Toxoplasma gondii detected in buffaloes from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-736x2016001000005 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 36 (10) ◽

pp. 947-950 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Luiza P. Portella ◽

◽

Gustavo C. Cadore ◽

Marcelo de Lima ◽

Luís A. Sangioni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Fluorescent Antibody ◽

Rio Grande ◽

Antibody Test ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Rio Grande Do Sul ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Caninum Infection ◽

Sarcocystis Spp

ABSTRACT: The presence of antibodies against Neospora caninum, Sarcocystis spp. and Toxoplasma gondii was evaluated in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from Rio Grande do Sul state (RS), southern Brazil. Serum samples (n=220) were analyzed for antibodies by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Antibody presence was considered when the titers were equal or higher than 100 for these protozoa. A total of 60.5% (133/220) buffalo serum samples were positive for at least one of the protozoa evaluated in this study. Antibodies for N. caninum, Sarcocystis spp. and T. gondii were found in 36.4% (80/220), 25.5% (56/220) and 16.8% (37/220) of the buffaloes respectively, indicating a higher frequency of N. caninum infection (p=0.0133). The IFAT is a suitable method to diagnose N. caninum, Sarcocystis spp. and T. gondii infection in buffaloes for detecting IgG antibodies. This study demonstrates the presence of these three protozoa in buffalo herds in RS, Brazil, which may be source of infection to other animals. The high frequency of animals positive for N. caninum is important and could be related to reproductive problems. Additionally, the presence of Sarcocystis spp. and T. gondii in buffaloes can be a possible public health issue.

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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Cattle and Sheep in Isfahan, Iran

International journal of epidemiologic research ◽

10.15171/ijer.2019.23 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 128-131

Author(s):

Mitra Sadat Deyhimi ◽

Hossein Yousefidarani ◽

Simindokht Soleimanifard

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Bovine Serum ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Main Role ◽

Immunofluorescence Method ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Raw Meat ◽

Obligate Intracellular ◽

Isfahan Province ◽

Cattle And Sheep

Background and aims: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite which has the potential to infect all warm-blooded animals. Sheep and cattle play a main role in the economy and their infection to T. gondii, besides economic losses, can cause the infection of humans through the consumption of raw meat and other products. In this study, we aimed to survey the prevalence of T. gondii in the livestock in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: A total of 384 samples including 144 sheep and 130 bovine serum samples from Isfahan and 50 sheep and 60 bovine serum samples from Kashan slaughterhouses were tested for the presence of T. gondii antibody using the indirect immunofluorescence method. Results: In general, the antibody was found in 27.31% of sheep and 22.63% of cattle at a dilution of ≥1:200. In detail, 26.15% of bovine and 26.17% of sheep serums from Isfahan and 15% of bovine and 22% of sheep serums from Kashan were seropositive. Conclusion: The study revealed that sheep and cattle can be a significant intermediate host for the spread of the disease in this region (Isfahan province) and the health and livestock authorities in the province should be given priority in improving animal welfare and nutrition.

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Mycoplasma agalactiae in Dairy Goat Flocks Bred in State of Ceará in Association with Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus

Acta Scientiae Veterinariae ◽

10.22456/1679-9216.81885 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 46 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Renato Mesquita Peixoto ◽

Alice Andrioli ◽

Raymundo Rizaldo Pinheiro ◽

Francisco Selmo Fernandes Alves ◽

Vanderlan Warlington Souza Dos Santos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Milk Production ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

The State ◽

Encephalitis Virus ◽

Control Measures ◽

Dairy Goat ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus ◽

Mycoplasma Agalactiae

Background: Contagious agalactia is an infectious disease caused by Mycoplasma agalactiae (M. agalactiae) that occurs in small ruminants leading to productive and economic losses. Due to the similarity of clinical signs presented in Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE), which is a viral disease, a differential diagnosis is important. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the presence of anti-Mycoplasma agalactiae antibodies in dairy goat flocks in Ceará State and possible correlation with CAE.Materials, Methods & Results: The research was performed in four mesoregions in Ceará State (Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza- MRF; Northeast Ceará - NeC; North Ceará - NC; Sertões in Ceará - SC), from which 16 productions located in 10 cities with the highest representativeness for goat milk production within the State or mesoregion were sampled. A total of 417 females and 69 males (486 animals) of breeds with dairy production aptitude, pure or crossbreed, maintained in semi-intensive or intensive systems, were tested. Blood serum was obtained by venipuncture of the jugular vein with vacuum pressure syringe followed by centrifugation at 1,500 g for 10min. Antibodies against the caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) were detected with micro technique of agarose gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and Western Blot (WB). The anti-Mycoplasma agalactiae antibodies were detected with commercial kit of enzymatic immunoassay (IDEXX Laboratories™). Seroprevalence of M. agalactiae in dairy goat flocks in Ceará State was 0.62% (3/486). From the total of 16 visited productions, 18.75% (3/16) had seropositive animals for M. agalactiae located in MRF, NC and SC mesoregions. CAE was diagnosed in 56.25% (9/16) of productions with AGID and in 81.25% (13/16) with WB. In addition, 5.2% (25/486) of animals were seropositive for CAE with AGID and 16.6% (80/486) with WB. Animals that reacted positive for M. agalactiae were all females of pure breed with milk production aptitude in distinct mesoregions submitted to intensive rearing system. None of these animals was positive in neither test (AGID or WB) for CAE. Therefore, no correlation of results obtained in diagnosis of M. agalactiae by ELISA and CAEV by AGID or WB (P < 0.05) was identified. However, two out of three productions that were positive for M. agalactiae presented positive results for CAEV with frequencies of 10% and 20%.Discussion: Seroprevalence of M. agalactiae in Ceará State was low in comparison with other Brazilian states and even other countries. However, the presence of the pathogen in more than one mesoregion indicates that the disease occurs in different locations within the State. Therefore, flocks in Ceará are susceptible to the infection, which may be favored by uncontrolled commerce that occurs with deficient surveillance, associated with the importation of animals to improve flock genetic quality. The presence of the pathogen in dairy goats may contribute to significant losses in the local production. On the other hand, CAE was diagnosed in nearly all productions proving the dissemination of this lentivirus infection among dairy goat flocks in Ceará State. Although an association between these diseases was not identified, the presence of a retrovirus in the organism may favor co-infection with another micro-organism, promoting the deficiency in the immune system of the host. In conclusion, M. agalactiae is present in different mesoregions of the Ceará State and control measures should be adopted in short term to prevent pathogen dissemination and, consequently reduce economic and productive losses in the local dairy goat production. No correlation was identified between the prevalence of infection by CAEV and M. agalactiae in this study.Keywords: correlation, diagnosis, caprine lentivirus, mycoplasmosis.

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