ABSTRACT
T. gondii infections in sheep are widely prevalent worldwide. The seropositive rates vary widely. Due to differences in test methods, the results are difficult to compare. Sheep can be exposed to T. gondii at any stage during their life, and prevalence of T. gondii infection increases with age. Prevalence rates in lambs were lower than adults from several countries. In most studies, the division of sheep into different age group was arbitrary; therefore, comparisons are not accurate. Sheep are strict herbivores; therefore, the main source of infection is T. gondii oocysts. The chances of infection are increased if the sheep are housed near farm dwellings compared with those on distant pastures. Temperate climate conditions extend the survival time of oocysts. Viable T. gondii has been recovered from tissues of persistently infected sheep. In some countries, sheep are raised for milk besides for meat.
