Toxoplasma gondii Seroprevalence Among Blood Donors in Zahedan, Southeastern Iran

Abstract

Background: Blood transfusion is one of the many ways, through which Toxoplasma Gondii (T. gondii), a protozoan parasite, can be transmitted to humans. Objectives: This cross sectional study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of toxoplasma infection and related epidemiological features among healthy blood donors. Materials and Methods: A total of 375 blood samples from donors were tested for specific T. gondii antibodies (IgG and IgM) by ELISA method, in Blood Transfusion Organization, Zahedan, Iran. Positive samples for T. gondii IgG were further tested for T. gondii IgM. A positive IgG test with a negative or positive IgM test was interpreted as a chronic or acute toxoplasmosis case, respectively. Results: From the total 375 blood donors, 94 samples (25%) were T. gondii IgG positive. No positive cases of anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were found. The difference between age and presence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Other characteristics of blood donors, including male gender, ABO blood groups and having a history of blood transfusion showed no association with infection. Conclusions: Our results highlighted that 25% of blood donors were infected by Toxoplasma, prior to the sampling and it can relapse, when facing a decreased immunity level.