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==Introduction==
==Introduction==
Toxoplasmosis is the disease caused by ''[[Toxoplasma gondii]]'', an intracelluler protozoan parasite. Although the definitive host is the cat, ''T. gondii'' can infect all mammals including man and is a significant cause of abortion in sheep and goats. Toxoplasmosis does not seem to cause disease in cattle.
Toxoplasmosis is the disease caused by ''[[Toxoplasma gondii]]'', an intracelluler protozoan parasite. Although the definitive host is the cat, ''T. gondii'' can infect all mammals including man and is a significant cause of abortion in sheep and goats. Toxoplasmosis does not seem to cause disease in cattle.
==Transmission to Sheep==
==Transmission to Sheep==
===Oocysts in the Environment===
===Oocysts in the Environment===
As the definitive hosts of ''Toxoplasma gondii'', cats become infected when they hunt and eat infected wild rodents and birds. Rodents are a particularly important source of [[Toxoplasmosis - Cats and Dogs|feline infection]], as they can pass ''T. gondii'' infection to their offspring without causing clinical disease. This means that a farm may develop a reservoir of ''T. gondii'' tissue cysts with the potential to cause feline infection and massive oocyst excretion when a cat is introduced to the environment. Between days 3 and 14 post-infection, cats shed over 100 million of oocysts in their faeces. Studies have shown an association between ovine toxoplasma infection, and the contamination of feed or grazing with sporulated oocysts<sup>1</sup>, highligting the importance of oocysts as a source of infection for sheep. It has also been demonstrated that the prevalence of ovine toxoplasmosis varies with the presence of cats on a farm<sup>2</sup>.
As the definitive hosts of ''Toxoplasma gondii'', cats become infected when they hunt and eat infected wild rodents and birds. Rodents are a particularly important source of [[Toxoplasmosis - Cat and Dog|feline infection]], as they can pass ''T. gondii'' infection to their offspring without causing clinical disease. This means that a farm may develop a reservoir of ''T. gondii'' tissue cysts with the potential to cause feline infection and massive oocyst excretion when a cat is introduced to the environment. Between days 3 and 14 post-infection, cats shed over 100 million of oocysts in their faeces. Studies have shown an association between ovine toxoplasma infection, and the contamination of feed or grazing with sporulated oocysts<sup>1</sup>, highligting the importance of oocysts as a source of infection for sheep. It has also been demonstrated that the prevalence of ovine toxoplasmosis varies with the presence of cats on a farm<sup>2</sup>.
===Congenital Transmission===
===Congenital Transmission===
An outbreak of toxoplasmosis can cause significant lamb losses. However, ewes rarely show ill effects, and will not abort again in subsequent lambings. Vaccination gives excellent control of toxoplasmosis.
An outbreak of toxoplasmosis can cause significant lamb losses. However, ewes rarely show ill effects, and will not abort again in subsequent lambings. Vaccination gives excellent control of toxoplasmosis.
{{Learning
|literature search = [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=%28toxoplasmosis%29+AND+od%3A%28sheep%29 Toxoplasmosis in sheep publications]
}}
[http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=%28toxoplasmosis%29+AND+od%3A%28sheep%29 Toxoplasmosis in sheep publications]
==Links==
==Links==
<big>'''[[Toxoplasmosis - Cats and Dogs|Feline and Canine Toxoplasmosis]]
<big>'''[[Toxoplasmosis - Cat and Dog|Feline and Canine Toxoplasmosis]]
'''[[Toxoplasmosis - Human|Human Toxoplasmosis]]</big>
'''[[Toxoplasmosis - Human|Human Toxoplasmosis]]</big>
#Dubey, J P (2009) Toxoplasmosis in sheep — The last 20 years. ''Veterinary Parasitology'', '''163''', 1-14.
#Dubey, J P (2009) Toxoplasmosis in sheep — The last 20 years. ''Veterinary Parasitology'', '''163''', 1-14.
[[Category:Sheep]]
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[[Category:Sheep Parasites]][[Category:Reproductive Diseases - Sheep]]
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