Toxoplasmosis in goats

Abstract

Extract

Sir:–We have recently encountered an epidemic of abortion and perinatal mortality in a large goat herd at Massey, north of Auckland. Fifty does are known to have aborted in a herd comprising 170 Saanen and Angora goats. Many more are thought to have aborted unnoticed early in gestation, judging from the high return rate in the herd. Some of these have subsequently become pregnant but many have a chronic vaginal discharge and have failed to conceive. A small number of weak kids were born towards the end of the outbreak. Placentae from five does and tissues from seven kids were examined. Gross lesions, limited to minute pale foci were observed in one placenta when it was carefully examined suspended in saline. (1) Microscopically, very occasional groups of tachyzoites were seen in two placentae by routine cytological and histological techniques. A placentitis with marked mononuclear infiltration and occasional foci of calcification was a common finding. Focal mononuclear inflammatory lesions were observed in the brain and parenchymatous organs of a number of the kids, but tachyzoites were not found despite careful examination. High titres to Toxoplasma gondii were detected in the serum of all nine aborted does tested (Table I). No other infectious agents of significance were identified by culture or serology.