Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is an important worldwide zoonosis caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. This parasitic infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent people. However, if the infection occurs in pregnant women, it can have serious consequences for the foetus. In this study, we evaluated the seroprevalence of T. gondii in women of childbearing age in Arad County, Western Romania. Serum samples from 2626 women were analysed using a Siemens ADVIA Centaur XP Immunoassay System. Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies were demonstrated in 1081 women (41%) and prevalence tended to increase with age, from 32% in women aged 15–19 years to 62% in women aged 40–45 years. There was a higher prevalence in rural areas (46%) than in urban areas (36%). This study provides new data on T. gondii seroprevalence in women of childbearing age from Western Romania.
Highlights
Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled, obligate intracellular protozoan parasite
The T. gondii IgG antibodies seroprevalence tended to increase with age in both rural and urban areas
This study demonstrated the presence of T. gondii IgG antibodies in serum samples of 41.16% of women of childbearing age living in Arad county, a well-known endemic area of Romania
Summary
Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled, obligate intracellular protozoan parasite. Contact with this parasite causes the infection called toxoplasmosis. The infection is transmitted either by ingestion of food or water contaminated with oocysts or by eating undercooked or raw meat that contains tissue cysts [13]. In immunocompetent individuals, toxoplasmosis remains asymptomatic and undiagnosed. If T. gondii primary infection occurs during pregnancy, this. Seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies in women of childbearing age varies between countries and sometimes between regions within a country, ranging from 4% in South Korea to 84% in Madagascar [6]. A higher rate of latent toxoplasmosis has been associated with low-income, developing countries [23].
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