anti-Toxoplasma Antibodies Research Articles

Prevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii in sheep in the State of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil.

The aims of this survey were to determine the flock-level and animal-level prevalences of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in sheep in the State of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil, and to identify risk factors. Blood samples were collected from 540 sheep in 63 flocks in 14 municipalities in the Sertão mesoregion. To serologically diagnose T. gondiii nfection, the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used. Flocks with at least one seropositive animal were considered positive. Among the 63 flocks, 28 (44.44%) were positive, and 60 (11.11%) of the 540 animals were seropositive. Variable flock size > 25 animals was identified as a risk factor (odds ratio = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.09 - 9.34; P = 0.033). The results from this survey demonstrate that T. gondii is spread among sheep in the State of Paraíba.

Study of Latent Toxoplasma gondii Role in Level of Testosterone, DHEA, Cortisol and Prolactin Hormones of Young Persons

Toxoplasmosis influences the behavior and personality of infected persons. Possible mechanisms for these psychic disorders include its effect on dopamine and on hormone levels. In the present research, the effect of latent toxoplasmosis on testosterone, DHEA, cortisol and prolactin hormones in the infected and noninfected individuals was examined. A total of 215 plasma sample were examined for IgG and IgM anti-Toxoplasma antibody, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol and prolactin levels. In addition the prevalence of hirsutism, acne and alopecia also evaluated in individuals. Serological analysis confirmed that 61 men (28.37%) and 58 women (26.97%) were sero-positive. A statistically significant correlation between toxoplasmosis and testosterone and cortisol increase were observed but there were no significant differences between infected and noninfected individuals in level of prolactin and DHEA. There were significant differences in frequency of allopcy, acne and hirsutism between two groups. Because of these hormones have though helps in management of stress and human behavior and personality so the direct correlation between toxoplasmosis and psychological disorders is suggested due to effect of Toxoplasma on host’s hormone levels

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma, Rubella, and Cytomegalovirus among pregnant women in Van.

Objective:To determine the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma, anti-Rubella, and anti-Cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibodies among pregnant women receiving prenatal care at Van Training and Research Hospital.Materials and Methods:In developing countries, various infectious agents encountered in the gestational period are important because they influence both maternal and fetal health. Among these, Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella and CMV are quite prevalent. In the present study, anti-Toxoplasma, anti-Rubella and anti-CMV antibodies were analyzed in the serum samples obtained from women receiving prenatal care at Van Training and Research Hospital between June 2012 and July 2013, and positive serum samples were retrospectively evaluated. Anti-Toxoplasma, anti-Rubella and anti-CMV antibodies were analyzed using ELISA with Cobas 4000 e411 (Roche, Germany) and Architect i2000SR (Abbott Diagnostics, Germany) analyzers.Results:Over the course of the study period, the results of a total of 9809 patients were investigated in terms of anti-Toxoplasma, anti-Rubella, and anti-CMV antibodies. Anti-Toxoplasma, anti-Rubella, and anti-CMV IgM and IgG antibody positivity rates were 1.1%, 0.5% and 2.6%, and 37.6%, 86.5% and 100%, respectively.Conclusion:Anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody positivity rates determined in the present study were lower as compared with the results of the other studies reported from Turkey. However, CMV IgM and IgG antibody positivity rates were be higher as compared with those reported in the literature.

Direct Amplification of B1 gene of Toxoplasma gondii DNA using Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction Following Microwave Treatment for Whole Blood Samples

Infection with Toxoplasma gondii is a cause of fetal death since T. gondii can be transmitted to the fetus through the placenta (transplacental) from an infected mother or at vaginal delivery. Blood obtained from women and sheep to confirm their infection with toxoplasmosis by using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay test (ELISA) to ditective positive specific anti-Toxoplasma (IgM, IgG and IgM, or IgG) antibodies. This study used two methodes to extract DNA (the first one was a standard extraction commercial method (CM-PCR) of genomic DNA using a commercial kit (Promega, USA), and the second one was the direct heat DNA extraction using microwave oven (MW-PCR) for whole blood samples obtained from infected women and sheep. Then nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (n PCR) were used to amplify Toxoplasma B1 gene to detect T. gondii DNA in whole blood samples. The results indecated using of microwave treatment instead of commercial kit to extract DNA is low cost and short time,and complement serology for clinical studies and diagnostic purposes of toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasma Gondii and Neospora Caninum Antibodies in Backyard Chickens in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are two intracellular apicomplexan protozoa with worldwide distribution, and are responsible for reproductive disorders in sheep and cattle. These protozoa may infect a wide variety of domestic and wild animals, including birds, and backyard chickens can be used as sentinels of their infection. Parasites investigation in backyard chickens may be useful for the evaluation of environmental contamination with oocysts, of the disease cycle, and of risk factors associated with public health. The aim of this study was establish the importance of backyard chickens as T. gondii and N. caninum hosts. A number of 137 serum samples were collected from chickens in 23 farms in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, and tested for toxoplasmosis and neosporosis by indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Anti-Toxoplasma and anti-Neospora antibodies were detected in 20 (87%) farms. Total prevalence of T. gondii was 74.4% (102/137) and 36.5% (50/137) for N. caninum, while 12.4% (17/137) of the chickens were positive for both protozoa. The results show that backyard chicken can used as indicators of the presenced of the protozoa N. caninum and T. gondii, emphasizing yours importance in the public health. Considering the high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in backyard chickens in the region, control measures should be taken to prevent transmission of the infection to the animals and humans.

Stillbirth history and Toxoplasma gondii infection in women attending public health centers in a northern Mexican City.

Through a cross-sectional study design, 150 women attending public health centers with a history of stillbirths were examined for anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies in Durango City, Mexico. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the association of T. gondii seropositivity with the characteristics of the women with stillbirth history.Of the 150 women (mean age: 32.09 ± 9.16 years) studied, 14 (9.3%) had anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies and six (42.9%) of them were also positive for anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies. Multivariate analysis showed that T. gondii seropositivity was associated with high frequency (4–7 days a week) of eating meat (OR = 5.52; 95% CI: 1.48–20.59; P = 0.01), history of lymphadenopathy (OR = 4.52; 95% CI: 1.14–17.82; P = 0.03), and history of surgery (OR = 8.68; 95% CI: 1.04–72.15; P = 0.04).This is the first study on the seroepidemiology of T. gondii infection in women with a history of stillbirths in Mexico. The association of T. gondii exposure with a history of surgery warrants for further research. Risk factors for T. gondii infection found in the present survey may help to design optimal educational programs to avoid T. gondii infection.

Diagnostic study of Toxoplasma gondii in students of Thi-Qar university-Iraq by Real- Time PCR

Toxoplasma gondii is a unique intracellular parasite, which infect a large proportion of the world, population, butclinically un commonly causes significant disease. The present study was performed for the first time in Thi-Qarprovince to estimate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among university students . Venous blood samples were collected from 319 (111 males and 208 females) apparently healthy students ,they have ages between (18-42) years attended from different colleges of Thi-Qar university-Iraq, during the period from October 2013 to April 2014. Enzyme linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA), was used to evaluate the presence of anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies and detection of B1 gene of T.gondii DNA by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction(RT-PCR). The results indicated that 70 (21.94%) of students were exposed positive for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies,17 (5.33%) of them had IgM,38 (11.91%) had IgG, and 15 (4.70%) had both IgM and IgG. Statistically, significant difference between them. The results showed significant difference between males and females in rate of positive for anti- Toxoplasma antibodies, which recorded 24 (7.52%) and 46 (14.42%) respectively . Besides the serological diagnosis of T.gondii Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR) technique was used to confirm the infection with T.gondii by detection B1 gene of T.gondii DNA in the blood of students. out of 319 students only 6.26% showed positive toxoplasmosis among those 8(2.50%)were males and 12(3.76%) were females. The positive result in RT-PCR analysis were distributed on the patterns of the antiToxoplasma antibodies by ELISA test , it was no found any positive blood samples with IgM,IgG.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with schizophrenia

Background and Objectives: Schizophrenia is a complex chronic neuropsychiatric disease of the central nervous system, believed to have multiple etiologies. Toxoplasma gondii has emerged as an interesting candidate as a possible cause of some cases of schizophrenia. As there is scarce information about the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in psychiatric patients in Erbil; we investigated the seroprevalence of T.gondii in schizophrenic patients and compared with that obtained from control individuals in Erbil correlated with inflammatory marker C-reactive protein. Method: This case control study included 93 schizophrenic patients seeking medical advice at Hawler Psychiatric Hospital and private clinics with 93 non psychiatric control were screened for the presence of anti-toxoplasma IgG, IgM (by ELISA test) and C-reactive protein using qualitative methods. A questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and behavioral data among the respondents. Results: In chronic cases anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies were seropositive in 30/93 (32.3%) of the schizophrenic patients and 4/93(4.3%) of control (P

English

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease with worldwide distribution and a major public health problem. In Algeria, human toxoplasmosis is screened in pregnant women and immunosuppressed persons; however, no information is available on the animal infection and a probable implication of the parasite in abortions occurring in the field. This sero-epidemiological cross-type survey on toxoplasmosis in cattle (332), sheep (276) and goats (106) revealed the presence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies based on the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), at the respective rates of 3.92, 11.59 and 13.21%. The likelihood of acquiring Toxoplasma gondii infection was higher in sheep and goats (OR=3.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.65-6.27 and OR= 3.73, [CI]: 1.69-8.24 respectively) than in cattle (p<0.001). However, the difference between sheep and goats is not significant. At herd level, 5 herds out of 41 (12.19%), 11 herds out of 19 (57.89%) and 4 herds out of 6 (66.66%) showed at least one seropositive case in cattle, sheep and goat herds, respectively. Statistical comparison between genders and age groups showed no significant difference in the three species. The highest serological titers obtained are 1:64, 1:2048 and 1:4096 for cattle, sheep and goats, respectively. Suspicion of the parasite's role in abortions has been investigated, the seroprevalence showed no significant difference between abortive and non abortive females for cattle and goats; however, it was significantly higher in ewes that have not aborted as compared to those having abortions, a high suspicion was done for one abortive ewe whose antibody titer reached 1:1024. The presence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies has been highlighted for the first time in livestock in Algeria, indicating a contamination with the parasite. Key words: Toxoplasma gondii, seroprevalence, cattle, sheep, goats, abortion, Algeria.

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasmosis among People Having Close Contact with Animals.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma infection and its risk association among people having close contact with animals. A total of 312 blood samples were collected from veterinary personnel (veterinarian, technicians, and students) and pet owners from veterinary clinics and hospitals in the area of Klang Valley, Malaysia. About 4 cc of blood samples drawn from agreed participants were processed for measurement of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies as well as avidity test of Toxoplasma IgG by ELISA I, II, and III kits. Meanwhile, the demographic profiles and possible risk factors of these participants were also recorded in the standardized data collection sheets. Overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was observed in 62 (19.9%) participants being 7 (18.4%) in veterinarians, 15 (33.3%) in veterinary technicians, 29 (14.9%) in veterinary students, and 11 (31.4%) in pet owners. Of 19.9% Toxoplasma seropositive samples, 18.3% was positive for IgG antibody, 1.0% for IgM antibody, and 0.6% for both IgG and IgM antibodies. Of three different IgG avidity ELISA kits, ELISA III showed high avidity in all five seropositive samples (IgM and IgG/IgM antibodies) indicating chronic Toxoplasma infection which is consistent with no evidence of clinical toxoplasmosis diagnosed during the time of this study. Univariate analysis showed that age group, gender, study population, gardening, task performance, and working duration were significantly associated with Toxoplasma seropositivity. Further analysis by multivariate analysis using logistic regression showed that age group of ≥30 years old (OR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.18–0.63, p = 0.001) and working or study duration of >10 years having close contact with animals (OR = 5.07, 95% CI = 1.80–14.24, p = 0.002) were identified as significant risks for Toxoplasma infection. Based on the results obtained, a comprehensive Toxoplasma screening and health surveillance program on toxoplasmosis should be implemented among people having close contact with animals in general and confirmed Toxoplasma seronegative individuals in particular to prevent seroconversion.

The Evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii) Serology Results Among Cases Who Admitted to the Serology Laboratory of a Hospital in Afyon City

The aim of this study is to evaluate Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) serology results in different age groups among cases who admitted to the Medical Serology Laboratory of a secondary level hospital in Afyon. The patients who has positive result for Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM by electrochemiluminescence method (Cobas e-170 Analyzer, Roche Diagnostics) between January and December 2013 were included the study. Patients included the study were aged 1-68 years (mean age: 24 ± 9). Of the total 1887 sera tested for T. gondii IgG and IgM, 452 were found to be positive (24%) in a period of 12 months. Seropositivity was found to be 4%, 11,1%, 20,2%, 25,3%, 33,3% and 46,6% in 1-8, 9-18, 19-23, 24-28, 29-35 and 36-68 age groups, respectively. Because of the high seroprevalence in our country, the knowledge about the values of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in pre-pregnancy period has an importance for evaluation and follow-up during the pregnancy. In this study, it was determined that there is a relationship between seroprevalence and age. All people should be educated about ways to minimize exposure to T. gondii.

Occurrence of anti-Neospora caninum and anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in horses in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a ocorrencia de anticorpos anti- Neospora caninum . e anti- Toxoplasma gondii em cavalos do Pantanal, no estado de Mato Grosso. Duzentas amostras de sangue foram coletadas de equinos do Pantanal Mato-grossense, Brasil. As amostras foram analisadas pela reacao de Imunofluorescencia Indireta (RIFI) para pesquisa de anticorpos anti- Neospora caninum e anti- Toxoplasma gondii. Os anticorpos anti N. caninum foram detectados em 30 (15%) dos 200 cavalos, nos titulos de 50 (25 cavalos), 100 (dois cavalos), 200 (dois cavalos) e 400 (um cavalo). Os anticorpos anti T. gondii foram detectados em cinco (2,5%) dos 200 cavalos, nos titulos de 50 (tres cavalos), 200 (um cavalo) e 400 (um cavalo). Em um cavalo verificou-se presenca de anticorpos para ambos coccideos (titulo de 200 para N. caninum e 400 para T. gondii ). Os equinos pantaneiros foram expostos ao N. caninum e T. gondii .

Screen of Uremic Patients for Toxoplasmosis Before Kidney Transplantation

With interest, we read the article by Beladi Mousavi and Faramarzi (1) entitled “Do we Need to Screen Uremic Patients for Toxoplasmosis before Kidney Transplantation” in your journal. In a cross sectional study, the author evaluated 22 patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) candidate for kidney transplantation and 30 donors for toxoplasmosis before transplantation in Khuzestan province, Iran. The results of this study showed that about a half of donors and recipients candidate for kidney transplantation in the Khuzestan province of Iran had Toxoplasma IgG antibody and therefore exposure to the infection. In the end of the study, they suggested that both the recipient and the donor should be routinely tested for toxoplasmosis before transplantation to avoid kidney donation from seropositive donor to seronegative recipient (1). The results of the study are interesting, but it is limited due to short duration and small number of patients enrolled in the study and therefore multicenter clinical trials with long duration and larger number of patients are needed for better evaluation of this suggestion. Although the results of the study are limited, we agree with the author for this suggestion. Toxoplasmosis is an opportunistic pathogen among immunocompromised patients including solid organ transplant recipients and it has been recognized as a potential donor-to-host transmission infection after transplantation (2-5). It can contribute in increment of morbidity and mortality in these patients (6-13). The transmission of infection occurs mainly in seronegative heart transplant recipients from seropositive donors. It is also suggested that the myocardium is one of the sites, which the cysts of Toxoplasma gondii are located and therefore the transmission of infection occurs after heart transplantation from seropositive donors to seronegative recipients (14). Transmission of infection from seropositive donors to seronegative recipients has been described infrequently after liver transplantation (15). The transmission of infection from seropositive donors to seronegative recipients is also infrequent after renal transplantation; however, the mortality of this complication is high among renal transplant recipient and as 50% based on some studies; therefore, efforts to identify patients at risk or to avoid kidney donation from seropositive donors are required (16). Screening recipient candidate for solid organ transplantation for IgM and IgG anti-toxoplasma antibodies before transplantation is also helpful for better follow-up of seropositive recipients for reactivation of latent tissue cysts following immunosuppressive treatments (17). It has been reported that immunosuppressive treatments after transplantation could reactivate latent tissue cysts to active toxoplasmosis (18).

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and associated risk factors among pregnant women in Debre Tabor, Northwest Ethiopia.

BackgroundToxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan organism that infects both birds and mammals. Human infections are particularly serious if they occur during pregnancy and may result in abortion or congenitally acquired disorders which primarily affect the central nervous system. This study assessed seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and associated risk factors among pregnant women at Debre Tabor, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to May, 2013. A total of 263 pregnant women who came to Debre Tabor public health facilities for antenatal care were selected and included in the study. The venous blood serum was tested using toxolatex agglutination test. Data on socio-demographic and potential risk factors were collected using structured questionnaire through face-to-face interview. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Both bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to identify associations between dependent and independent variables.ResultsOf 263 pregnant women included in the study, 180 (68.4%, 95% CI: 63.1-71.4%) were found to be seropositive for anti-toxoplasma antibody. Multivariable analysis showed; age group ≥36 years (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 3.56; 95% CI: 1.01–12.5), cannot read and write (AOR = 4.77; 95% CI: 1.01-30.3), and cat ownership (AOR = 3.36; 95% CI: 1.39-8.12) were significantly associated with seropositivity of T.gondii infection.ConclusionsSeroprevalence of T.gondii infection in Debre Tabor town was high. Age, educational status and presence of cats in home were identified as factors associated with T.gondii infection. Education of pregnant women about the transmission and prevention methods of this infection through health extension and in antenatal care clinics is important. Besides, studies on incidence of toxoplasmosis in newborns and infants are recommended.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. Infections in Arab Horses, Southwest of Iran.

Background:Because of the economic importance of the Arab race horses and also the role of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in abortion and reproductive failure of these animals, we decided to perform this study.Objectives:We designed this study to investigate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora spp. antibodies in Arab horses from 12 cities of Khuzestan province in southwest of Iran.Materials and Methods:From October 2009 to March 2011, a total of 235 blood samples were collected from jugular veins of Arab horses of different ages and genders from 12 cities of Khuzestan province. All the sera were tested for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT) and the existence of anti-Neospora antibodies were tested using N-MAT for Neospora spp.Results:According to the MAT results, antibodies to T. gondii were found in 114 (48.5%) of 235 sera with titers of 1:20 in 84, 1:40 in 19, 1:80 in four, 1:160 in four, and 1:320 in three horses. According to the N-MAT results, antibodies to Neospora spp. were found in 47 (20%) of 235 sera with titers of 1:40 in 39, 1:80 in five, and 1:160 in three horses. We did not observe any statistically significant differences regarding age groups and genders between seropositive and seronegative horses for Neospora spp. using chi-square (χ2) test, but it seemed that anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were more prevalent in older horses (≥ 10 years old).Conclusions:The results indicated that Arab horses are exposed to these parasites in southwest of Iran. Further research is required to determine the genomic structures of these parasites in Arab horses in southwest of Iran.

Seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Borrelia species antibodies in patients with schizophrenia: a case–control study from western Turkey

Objectives. We examined IgG antibody seroprevalence and risk factors for anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Borrelia sp. in schizophrenic patients. Methods. This case–control study included 30 schizophrenic patients and 60 healthy individuals. Serological analyses were identified by using ELISA technique. Results. In the case group the Toxoplasma seropositivity was 33.3% and Borrelia seropositivity was 13.3%, while in the control group the Toxoplasma positivity was 21.7% and Borrelia seropositivity was 15.0%. There was no significant difference with regard to seroprevalence between the groups (P = 0.232; P = 0.832, respectively). There was statistically significant difference between case and control groups related to hand and kitchen utensil hygiene after dealing with raw meat (P = 0.001). Conclusions. Our data showed the rate of Toxoplasma antibodies was higher in the case group, while the rate of Borrelia antibodies was higher in the control group. In both groups the high rates of seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii and Borrelia sp. is thought to be due to neglect of personal hygiene. The present study also is the first to examine the association between Borrelia sp. and schizophrenia. Further studies are needed to determine whether there is an association between Borrelia sp. and schizophrenia or not.

Interleukin-6-driven inflammatory response induces retinal pathology in a model of ocular toxoplasmosis reactivation.

Ocular inflammation is one of the consequences of infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Even if lesions are self-healing in immunocompetent persons, they pose a lifetime risk of reactivation and are a serious threat to vision. As there are virtually no immunological data on reactivating ocular toxoplasmosis, we established a model of direct intravitreal injection of parasites in previously infected mice with a homologous type II strain. Two different mouse strains with variable ability to control retinal infection were studied in order to describe protective and deleterious reaction patterns. In Swiss-Webster mice, which are already relatively resistant to primary infection, no peak of parasite load was observed upon reinfection. In contrast, the susceptible inbred strain C57BL/6 showed high parasite loads after 7 days, as well as marked deterioration of retinal architecture. Both parameters were back to normal on day 21. C57BL/6 mice also reacted with a strong local production of inflammatory and Th1-type cytokines, like interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-17A, and gamma interferon (IFN-γ), while Swiss-Webster mice showed only moderate expression of the Th2 cytokine IL-31. Interestingly, rapid intraocular production of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies was observed in Swiss-Webster but not in C57BL/6 mice. We then localized the cellular source of different immune mediators within the retina by immunofluorescence. Finally, neutralization experiments of IFN-γ or IL-6 demonstrated the respective protective and deleterious roles of these cytokines for parasite control and retinal integrity during reinfection. In conclusion, we developed and immunologically characterized a promising mouse model of reactivating ocular toxoplasmosis.

High prevalence of anti-toxoplasma antibodies and absence of Toxoplasma gondii infection risk factors among pregnant women attending routine antenatal care in two Hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It is acquired mainly by eating raw or undercooked meat containing Toxoplasma gondii tissue cyst, eating food or water contaminated with oocyst, and acquiring congenital infection through the placenta. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and assess possible risk factors associated with the infection among pregnant women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Cross sectional study was designed, and 288 serum samples were collected from November 1(st) 2010 to January 2011. The serum samples were tested for anti- Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using latex agglutination test. The risk factors were tested for significance using Bivariate and multivariate analysis. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. 85.4% were positive for anti Toxoplasma gondii antibody. No significant association was observed between seroprevalence and age, gestational age, socio demographic characters, history of abortion, consumption of raw or undercooked meat, consumption of raw vegetable, owning of cat, and blood transfusion. Prevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is higher than that reported from other countries. Efforts to describe risk factors for toxoplasma infection among Ethiopians should focus in children.

Investigation of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Samsun and Afyon provinces.

The present study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in water buffaloes. The research was conducted on 131 water buffaloes from Samsun and Afyon provinces. Serum samples of buffaloes were tested for toxoplasmosis with the Sabin Feldman Dye Test (SFDT), using live tachyzoites and methylene-blue dye. 87.79% of buffaloes had anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies titered 1:16 and more. No statistically significant difference was observed between the age and gender of buffaloes with infection (p>0.05). These results show that toxoplasmosis is quite common in water buffaloes in the regions of study.

Retrospective evaluation of the results of female patients of childbearing age at a microbiology laboratory for screening Toxoplasma gondii in Kocaeli Derince

The aim of the previous study was to retrospectively analyze the seropositive rate of Toxoplasma among women of childbearing age who were suspected to have toxoplasmosis at the Microbiology Laboratory of Kocaeli Derince Education and Research Hospital. The presence of Toxoplasma antibodies (IgM, IgG) with Axsym commercial ELISA kits between January 2009 and February 2011 and the presence of Toxoplasma antibodies (IgM, IgG) with Architect commercial ELISA kit between February 2011 and June 2012 were investigated in a total of 943 sera from women included in the study. The seropositive rate of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM in the study was 28.5% (N=741), 0.9% (N=898), respectively. Additionally, 10 samples (1.3%) were considered as border-line for IgG antibodies and 4 samples (0.4%) for IgM antibodies against T. gondii. In general, 70.2% of women in the study were seronegative for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies; it can be concluded that most of them were sensitive to a newly acquired infection, and that their babies were at risk of congenital toxoplasmosis in case of a possible pregnancy. In conclusion, the present study suggested that toxoplasmosis was still an emerging public health problem in study area, and particularly, women of reproductive age should be warned and informed about toxoplasmosis.