Distribution of toxoplasmosis among different groups of the population of the Оmsk Region

Abstract

Objective. Our objective was to study the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among various groups of population in the Omsk Region. Materials and methods. We analyzed statistical data and the results of our own serological tests carried out in 2000–2017. Antibodies to Toxoplasma were determined in 1,926 people (769 citizens and 1,157 villagers). The blood serum was used as the test material. For the detection of IgG and IgA antibodies to toxoplasma, we used locally produced ELISA test systems (“Vector-Best”, Novosibirsk). Results. Antibodies to toxoplasmas were found in residents of all landscape areas of the Omsk Region. In the northern parts of the forest zone, 45.9 % of people had antibodies to toxoplasma; in the southern steppe zone, 64.6 % of people had those antibodies. Urban residents were infected in 17.7 % of cases. There were significant age-related differences in toxoplasma infection in the population of the Omsk Region. The maximum rates of invasion in older age groups were more than 50 % among urban residents and over 70 % in rural areas. Rates of seropositivity of rural children under 15 were 5 times higher than those in urban children. Serological markers of toxoplasmosis were detected in 52.8 % of rural women of childbearing age and in 33.9 % of urban women. Сonclusion. The research results indicated the unfavorable epidemic situation for toxoplasmosis in the Omsk Region. Taking into account the risk of infection for people with immunodeficiency and pregnant women and the possibility to reactivate the invasion even in an immunocompetent organism, it is necessary to study distinctive features of the toxoplasmosis epidemic process in different areas of the Omsk Region and to develop regulatory and procedural documents on prevention of Toxoplasma infection in the population.