Screening of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and Risk factors among Patients in Asabieh City, Libya

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Risk factors includeconsumption of undercooked meat, raw vegetables, and unfiltered water.Aim: This study aims to screen antibodies titer in toxoplasmosis positive patients inAsabieh city in Libya and to screen risk factors associated with infection in this area.Study design: Data were collected using a cross-sectional design.Study Duration and Location: Data were collected from patients of different agesand gendersattending Ali Omar Ascar hospital, Asabieh, during the period of January2017 to January 2018.Methodology: A single blood sample was collected from 150 patients and spun at3000 rpm to obtain serum. The serum samples were analysedto detect anti-ToxoplasmaIgG and IgM antibodies using enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA, BioChec)kit according to manufacturer’s instructions. A self-structured questionnaire was usedto obtain information on farm animal’s contact, the process of vegetables washing,meatcooking, Water resource and raw water consumption.Results: The total seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was 78.6%,out of which IgG andIgM were 68%, and 77.4% respectively. Several risk factors were identified, includingdaily contact with farm animals (82.6% were +ve, P = .0.01), unfiltered water (61.3%were +ve; P = 0.003).Conclusion: asabieh area showed a high prevalence of toxoplasmosis, and many environmentalrisk factors associated with the infection as animal hosts, human lifestylewere also identified, that could help to reduce the risk of spreading and transmissionof infection among the populations in the future.