Prevalence and related potential risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among slaughterhouse workers and animals in Makkah

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that causes a parasitic disease known as toxoplasmosis. The disease transmits from animals to humans via the eating raw or insufficient cook meat or by contact with raw meat. The main aim of the present study was to define the prevalence and the associated risk factors of the disease in workers and animals in slaughterhouses in Makkah. The study was based on a cross-sectional study in humans and animals including, sheep, goats, cattle, and camels. Data were collected using a short questionnaire. Approximately 108 blood samples were collected from workers included the butchers and the workers and 160 blood samples of the slaughterhouse animals. Serum samples were kept in -80o C till examined by using ELISA IgM and IgG tests. The data analyzed by using SPSS version 25. The result showed that the prevalence in workers was 0.9% and 25% using IgM and IgG, respectively. In animals, all the results were negative using ELISA IgM and IgG tests. The result showed that there was a correlation between chronic infection and contact with a cat (p<0.015). The study focussed on the T. gondii in slaughterhouse workers which found that both acute and chronic toxoplasmosis. The results also showed no infection was registered in different species of animals in both slaughterhouses.