Abstract
BackgroundsPrimary infection with Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy can pose serious health problems for the fetus. However, the epidemiological status of toxoplasmosis among reproductive-aged population in Myanmar is largely unknown. Although luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) assays for serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis was developed mostly using mouse infection model, had not been tested by using field-derived human samples.MethodsA total of 251 serum samples were collected from reproductive-aged women, residing in Shwegyin township, Bago region, Myanmar and analyzed with a commercial ELISA kit, as well as in-house LIPS assays.ResultsThe overall seroprevalence for Toxoplasma gondii infection by the commercial ELISA was 11.5%. No clear risk factor was identified except for being in the younger age group (15–30 years old). Overall, LIPS assays showed low sensitivity when the commercial ELSA was used as a reference test.ConclusionWe identified the epidemiological situation of toxoplasmosis in some rural communities in Myanmar. The data obtained here will serve as a primary information for the effort to reduce toxoplasmosis in this region. Although looked promising in the previous experiments with mouse infection model, we found that the reported LIPS procedures need further improvements to increase the sensitivities.
Highlights
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii
The aim of this study is twofold: firstly, to estimate the sero-epidemiological status and risk factors in reproductive-aged women, living in this study areas of Myanmar by using a widely recommended commercial Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits; and secondary to acquire information regarding the performance of the luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) assays compared to the commercial ELISA kits
No documented data on seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in female of reproductive age and associated risk factors were available at the time of the survey
Summary
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Serological test based on Sabin-Feldman dye test has been considered the gold standard because of its high sensitivity and specificity in humans. It requires live parasites and highly skilled personnel and is usually performed only in reference laboratories [6]. Other tests, such as indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), latex agglutination test (LAT), indirect haemagglutination (IHA), modified agglutination test (MAT), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELIS A), are useful to screen T. gondii infection [7]
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