Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep of Veracruz State, southeast Mexico.

Toxoplasma gondii is widely prevalent in sheep and their products pose a risk to public health. The aim of this study was to identify the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in sheep in Veracruz State, Mexico. The study was cross-sectional and it was carried out in thirteen municipalities distributed in three regions of Veracruz State. A total of 414 blood samples were collected from four districts of Veracruz State and analyzed for T. gondii antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Total seroprevalence was 35.90% (149/414; 95.00% CI = 31.40-40.80). Seroprevalence by the municipality was 10.50% to 85.70% and for the district was 28.80% to 47.80%, respectively. Age, breed and productive status were identified as risk factors associated with T. gondii infection significantly. The infection by T. gondii is widely present in the districts of the Veracruz State with a high seroprevalence and risk factors associated with infection.

Utilización de bloques solidificados de Melaza como suplemento alimenticio para ganado bovino durante la sequía en los trópicos / Use of solified molasses blocks as supplemental feed for cattle during dry periods

Como una posible solución al problema de la producción de carne y leche, y para disminuir la pérdida de peso del ganado bovino durante al temporada de sequía en el trópico, se ofrece el proceso tecnológico de solidificación de la melaza en forma de bloques como complemento nutricional, elaborados en base de melaza y de algunos subproductos agroindustriales como cáscara de cítricos, grano seco de cervecería, soapstock, harina de sangre, entre otros, de valioso potencial alimenticio que se encuentran en abundancia en las regiones tropicales de nuestro país