High Prevalence Of Toxoplasmosis Research Articles

Comparative Studies on Toxoplasmosis in Different Provinces of Afghanistan

Toxoplasmosis a zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma Gondii (T.gondii) is a serious health problem for most undeveloped countries including Afghanistan. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Afghanistan varies between different provinces, with rural areas showing a higher risk of infection compared to urban areas. This may be due to the lifestyle and environmental factors in these regions, such as agricultural practices, contact with animals, and consumption of contaminated food and water. The high prevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women is particularly concerning, as it can lead to severe complications for both the mother and the unborn child. Overall, addressing toxoplasmosis in Afghanistan requires a multifaceted approach that considers the unique social, cultural, and environmental factors influencing its transmission and impact on human health. This may involve targeted interventions in rural areas, where the risk of infection is higher, as well as broader public health campaigns to raise awareness and promote preventive measures across the country. By addressing these factors, it may be possible to reduce the burden of toxoplasmosis and improve the overall health outcomes for the population of Afghanistan.

Toxoplasmosis outbreak in São Paulo, Brazil: Epidemiology and visual outcome.

To describe a 2019 acute toxoplasmosis outbreak in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, and to evaluate the laboratory serological profile for toxoplasmosis for three consecutive years. The ophthalmological manifestations of the patients involved in the outbreak were also studied. A cross-sectional descriptive study of a toxoplasmosis outbreak in São Paulo, Brazil, between February and May 2019. Epidemiological data were described, as were the observed ocular manifestations. As part of this study the number of patients with positive IgM toxoplasmosis serology was obtained from a large laboratory network (DASA) for three consecutive years, including the year of the outbreak (2018, 2019, 2020). Eighty-three individuals were identified in the outbreak and two clusters were studied. The clinical picture of at least 77% of the patients, the epidemiological analysis, and the short incubation period (5-8 days) suggested contamination by oocysts. Serological laboratory data analysis revealed an increase of positive toxoplasmosis IgM in 2019 of 73% compared to the previous year. Ophthalmological examination revealed that at least 4.8% of the patients developed toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, none of whom had been treated during the acute systemic disease. Our findings indicate vegetable contamination as the possible source of this outbreak, a high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in São Paulo during the outbreak period, and a drop in the number of tests during the COVID-19 pandemic. Retinochoroiditis was observed in at least 4.8% of the cases. We confirm the need to implement effective means for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease. This may involve raising awareness among the population of the importance of vegetable hygiene, and improved quality control of food and water.

Metals Explain the Relationship Between Toxoplasma gondii, Influenza Virus, and COVID-19: A Hypothesis

Toxic metals such as zinc (Zn) have numerous biological roles in a man’s body, and these tasks are upsetted upon a change in these vital metals. These metals induce various pathological disorders in addition to these positive functions. The current manuscript focuses on the responsibility of Toxoplasma gondii as a host for the influenza virus offering an appropriate environment to the virus to escape the immune system. Consistent with the mentioned hypothesis indicating that COVID-19 is the mutant form of the influenza virus, the slow spread of the pandemic between populations with a high prevalence of toxoplasmosis is attributed to the role of Zn in the regulation of immunity through the protection of host cells from the virus and the guard of parasites that hold viral colonies and stop its spread. It is recommended that experimental studies be performed to prove this hypothesis.

Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Threatened Abortion in Women from Northern Peru.

Introduction Toxoplasma gondii infection can cause important complications during pregnancy. Threatened abortion may be a late indicator for infection in settings with high prevalence of toxoplasmosis. We aimed to determine the association between T. gondii infection and threatened abortion in women from northern Peru. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study in pregnant women from a hospital and a rural community in Lambayeque, Peru. Exposure variable was serological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, defined as the demonstration of either IgM or IgG antibodies against T. gondii. Outcome variable was threatened abortion, defined as the diagnosis of bloody vaginal discharge or bleeding during the first half of pregnancy. Prevalence ratios were estimated in simple and multiple regression analyses. Results Of 218 pregnant women, 35.8% presented positive serology for T. gondii and 14.7% had threatened abortion in their current pregnancy. Pregnant women with positive T. gondii infection had 2.45-fold higher frequency of threatened abortion (PR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.15-5.21). In addition, the frequency of threatened abortion decreased by 9% for each additional year of age (PR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.86-0.97). A previous history of threatened abortion also showed a higher frequency of threatened abortion (PR: 5.22, 95% CI: 2.45-11.12). Conclusions T. gondii infection is associated with threatened abortion. An early age of pregnancy and a previous history of abortion are also associated with this condition.

Expression of Interleukin-33 Gene in Hemodialysis Patients with Chronic Toxoplasmosis in Baghdad, Iraq.

Toxoplasmosis is a protozoan parasite with high distribution, leading to different abnormalities in hosts. The present study aimed to determine the distribution of toxoplasmosis in hemodialysis patients and the expression of the Interleukin (IL)-33 gene in chronic Toxoplasmosis. The present study evaluated 120 subjects, including 60 patients who were undergoing dialysis and 60 healthy samples as the control group, from the 1st February to 1st November 2021. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG was detected by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay(ELISA) technique and the real-time polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) was used to perform IL-33. The results demonstrated that the highest anti-toxoplasmosis IgG antibody rate was observed in the age group 51-70 years who were undergoing dialysis, in comparison with that in the control group (P<0.05). The male patients who had anti-toxoplasmosis IgG antibodies outnumbered the healthy people (P<0.05), while the female patients did not significantly differ from the healthy group. Chronic toxoplasmosis showed a higher number according to residency (the urban and rural patients), compared to healthy people. The frequency of dialysis times per week in chronic Toxoplasmosis patients was significantly higher among the infected patients. The findings were displayed to be positive in dialysis at 2 weeks (P<0.05). The expression of the IL-33 gene was investigated in patients who were undergoing hemodialysis and in healthy controls by using real-time PCR. The findings demonstrated that there was a high Ct value for patients and controls with a high Ct value of templates, preoperational to the gene concentration. The high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in dialysis patients and the role of IL-33 in cellular immunity in these patients highlight the need to investigate the mechanisms limiting infection with intracellular protozoa.

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum Infections in Stray Cats and Dogs in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Area, China.

Simple SummaryDiseases caused by parasites have introduced serious threats to human health and the development of animal husbandry in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau Area (QTPA), such as toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii and neosporosis caused by Neospora caninum. However, information on the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis and neosporosis in stray cats and dogs which are the definitive hosts of T. gondii and N. caninum in the QTPA is limited. The aim of this study was to establish a detailed record of the seroprevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum-specific IgG and IgM antibodies in serum samples and the molecular epidemiology in feces from stray cats and dogs in the plateau area. The results revealed that stray cats and dogs in the QTPA, China present both T. gondii and N. caninum infection through the antibodies and antigen detection of the indirect ELISA tests and qPCRs. The present study suggests the prevalence of acute neosporosis and chronic re-emergence of toxoplasmosis in stray cats and dogs in the testing area. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of T. gondii and N. caninum infection in cats and dogs in the QTPA, and the first determination of N. caninum infection in cats in China. In conclusion, stray cats and dogs play key roles in the transmission and prevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum in the plateau area.Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum belong to the Apicomplexan protozoa which is an obligate intracellular parasite, causing toxoplasmosis and neosporosis throughout the world. Cats and dogs are the definitive hosts of these two parasites. However, information on the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis and neosporosis in stray cats and dogs in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau Area (QTPA) is limited, and little is known about the diversity of the diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform indirect ELISA tests based on recombinant TgSAG1, TgGRA1, NcSAG1 and NcGRA7 proteins to establish a detailed record of the seroprevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum-specific IgG and IgM antibodies in serum samples and to develop qPCR amplification based on TgB1 and NcNc5 genes to conduct molecular epidemiology in feces from stray cats and dogs in the QTPA. In the current study, a total of 128 cat serum samples were analyzed through serological tests in which 53 (41.4%) and 57 (44.5%) samples were found positive for T. gondii specific-IgG and IgM antibodies, and 2 (1.6%) and 74 (57.8%) samples were confirmed positive for N. caninum specific-IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. Out of 224 stray dog sera, 59.8% and 58.9% were recorded as positive against anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies, 17.9% and 64.7% were detected positive against Neospora IgG and IgM. On the other hand, 1 of 18 cat fecal samples was successfully amplified within the Ct value of 10 to 30 while no cat was positive for neosporosis. Moreover, a higher prevalence of toxoplasmosis in stray dogs (14.5%, 16/110) than of neosporosis (5.5%, 6/110) with different parasite numbers were found. Further analysis showed that no significant sex differences were found nor between the overall infection rates of T. gondii and N. caninum in this study. This study suggests that stray cats and dogs play key roles in the transmission and prevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum in the plateau area.

Immunohistochemical detection and pathology of toxoplasmosis in Nigerian wild rats

ABSTRACT Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease of economic importance found worldwide, and it is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which affects a wide range of hosts. High prevalence of toxoplasmosis has been reported in rodents, and they are considered very important in the circulation and maintenance of the disease. However, epidemiologic studies of the disease in rodents are generally scarce in the Tropics. This study utilized the immunohistochemical (IHC) technique to detect Toxoplasma gondii in wild rats sampled from across the North Central Nigeria. The brain, intestine, diaphragm, lungs and kidney tissue samples from 227 wild rats (Zyzomys pedunculatus) were routinely processed for histopathology, out of which 86 were further selected for IHC detection of T. gondii antigens using the streptavidin-peroxidase method. The histologic lesions observed were mild to moderate in severity, including meningitis, focal gliosis, neuronal degeneration and necrosis, villous atrophy and denudation, enteritis, diaphragmatic myositis, broncho-interstitial pneumonia and interstitial nephritis. Toxoplasma gondii was detected in 82.6% of the selected samples showing various degrees of immunoreaction intensity. We conclude that IHC is a useful tool in the detection of T. gondii in wild rats, and lungs and kidney may be the organ of choice for the detection of T. gondii.

Serological Evaluation of Toxoplasmosis and Related Risk Factors Among HIV+/AIDS Patients in Northern Iran.

Toxoplasma gondii is an important opportunistic intracellular protozoan parasite that can cause severe sequelae and even death in immunodeficient patients. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis among HIV+/AIDS patients of the study area. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 121 registered HIV+/AIDS patients of behavioral diseases consultation center (BDCC) in Guilan province, north of Iran. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies were measured by ELISA technique in the serum samples. IgG avidity was measured for IgG- plus IgM-positive cases. Also, the relationship between T. gondii infection and related demographic and clinical characteristics were investigated. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were detected in 60.3 and 4.9% of patients, respectively. One case of acute toxoplasmosis (0.83%) was detected using an IgG avidity test. A significant correlation was observed between toxoplasmosis with age and marital status in these patients. The mean CD4+count of HIV+/AIDS patients was 549 ± 27cells/µl. Viral load in 69.7% of the HIV patients was less than1000copies/ml. None of the T. gondii IgM-positive HIV patients received anti-Toxoplasma prophylaxis. This finding highlights the importance of T. gondii infection surveillance in HIV patients. Regarding the high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the study population, educational efforts are recommended to prevent reactivation or acquiring primary infection and developing severe cases of toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised HIV+/AIDS patients.

Association between latent toxoplasmosis and fertility parameters of men.

About a third of people in the world are infected with Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite has been found in the reproductive organs and semen of males of many animal species as well as humans. The effects of toxoplasmosis on sperm count, motility and morphology were confirmed in rats. A higher prevalence of toxoplasmosis has been observed in infertile men. On the other hand, no significant effect of infection on semen parameters in men was found in one already published study. To compare the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in men with and without semen pathology and to examine in detail the possible impact of infection on semen volume, sperm count, motility and morphology. The pre-registered cross-sectional study included 669 men who visited the Centre for Assisted Reproduction in Prague from June 2016 until June 2018. The incidence of fertility problems was significantly higher in the 163 Toxoplasma-infected men (48.47%) than in the 506 Toxoplasma-free men (42.29%), τ = 0.049, P=0.029. After correction for multiple tests, we found significantly lower sperm concentration, concentration of progressively motile sperm, and concentration of non-progressively motile sperm in Toxoplasma-positive men than in Toxoplasma-negative men using partial Kendall correlation with age controlled. In addition, toxoplasmosis correlated with sperm quality in smokers but not in non-smokers. Our results suggest that latent toxoplasmosis affects certain semen parameters (sperm count and motility), but does not seem to affect sperm morphology and semen volume. Impairment of semen parameters may be either a side effect of the presence of Toxoplasma gondii in male reproductive organs or a product of manipulation activity of the parasite aimed to increase the efficiency of the sexual route of its transmission. Tobacco smoking also appears to exacerbate the negative impact of toxoplasmosis on semen parameters.

Toxoplasmosis in Humans and Animals in Ghana (1962 – 2020): A Review

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the ubiquitous, Apicomplexan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. This disease remains a significant aetiologic factor in pregnant women and HIV patients. In Sub-Saharan African countries like Ghana, the low antiviral therapy coverage exacerbates the risk of HIV-related mortality resulting from concurrent infections like toxoplasmosis. This paper reviews published data on toxoplasmosis in both humans and animals in Ghana. Serological surveys in humans indicate high prevalence of toxoplasmosis (up to 92.5%) in a cross-section of Ghanaians, including pregnant women and their neonates, blood donors, as well as HIV and eye patients. Limited data from epidemiological surveys also show Toxoplasma infections in four food animals, with the prevalence ranging from 7.5% to as high as 64%. Molecular analyses in animals have also revealed three novel genotypes, TgCkGh1, TgCkGh2 and TgCtGh1. There are, however, no reports in other food animals like dogs, cattle and grass cutters in Ghana. The role of environmental matrices in the epidemiology of the disease also needs to be investigated. There is paucity of data in the Northern part of Ghana, with most reports concentrated on Southern Ghana, thus necessitating nationwide surveys under a ‘One-Health’ concept to inform management of the disease. Policies which mandate screening of expectant mothers and blood donors are recommended to limit disease transmission in Ghana.

Oral sex: A new, and possibly the most dangerous, route of toxoplasmosis transmission

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease widespread in the temperate zone. The definitive hosts of Toxoplasma gondii, which causes the disease, are cats. All warm-blooded vertebrates, including humans, can be intermediate hosts. A person is usually infected by ingesting oocysts, e.g. by consuming along with vegetables some contaminated soil, by drinking contaminated water, or by ingesting tissue cysts contained, for instance, in poorly cooked meat. Less common is congenital transmission or transmission via organ transplant from an infected donor. Recently, it has been suggested that toxoplasmosis could also be transmitted sexually from infected men to uninfected women. In this article, we discuss and present evidence for an alternative hypothesis, which suggests that toxoplasmosis could be transmitted by oral sex (via fellatio) from an infected man to an uninfected person (male or female), especially if the uninfected individual swallows the infected ejaculate. This hypothesis finds support in the following facts and findings: (1) Toxoplasma has been found in male ejaculate. (2) In several animal species, presence of the parasite in the seminal fluid of infected males can lead to infection of uninfected females during mating. (3) A higher prevalence of toxoplasmosis has been reported in both homosexuals and promiscuous individuals, i.e. in populations which practice a broader spectrum of sexual activities, including oral sex. (4) In heterosexual couples, a partner’s infection seems to be a risk factor for infection in women but not in men. (5) A higher prevalence of toxoplasmosis in females compared to males has been observed in adolescents aged 10 to 14, where oral sex, including fellatio, is highly prevalent among those who have not yet engaged in penetrative intercourse. (6) On a theoretical level, one could expect that when an uninfected person swallows ejaculate containing Toxoplasma tissue cysts, this results in a similar infection pattern to ingestion of Toxoplasma-contaminated undercooked meat. (7) Approximately two-thirds of Toxoplasma infections in pregnant women cannot be explained by any of the known risk factors. (8) In both women and men who report practicing fellatio with men, there is a higher prevalence of toxoplasmosis than in corresponding controls. If our hypothesis is correct, an effective public health campaign with emphasis on early sexual education about the risks of unprotected oral sex will be necessary, especially in pregnant women and HIV-positive people. This route of toxoplasmosis transmission could be experimentally verified by force-feeding laboratory mice with the ejaculate of infected men.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Among Pregnant Sudanese Ladies

Introduction: The present study aimed to find the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis and assess its associated risk factors among pregnant women. Methods: This retrospective hospital-based study was carried out in the period between January 2009 and December 2010 in Eldammar, River Nile State, Sudan. Chi-square was used for trend analysis, and P value was used to declare the statistical significance between the variables. Results: A total of 383 pregnant women (age range: 16–45 years) visiting Eldammar teaching hospital and other health centers for antennal care were selected. Using latex agglutination test (LAT), 74.7% (285/383) were positive for toxoplasmosis . ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) was used for IgM &amp; IgG confirmatory, and the results showed that 26% (74/285) and 34.7% (99/285) were positive for toxoplasmosis. There was a significant correlation between serological evidence of toxoplasmosis and low education level, eating undercooked meat, and drinking raw milk (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women of the studied population. A positive correlation was reported between toxoplasmosis and low education level, eating undercooked meat, and drinking raw milk.

Seroprevalence of Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.

Background:Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes a zoonotic disease called toxoplasmosis. If the infection acquired during pregnancy is not detected and treated early, the parasite can be transmitted transplacentally to the fetus, resulting in congenital toxoplasmosis, which likely leads to serious consequences in the fetus. Toxoplasmosis constitutes a major public health problem particularly in low- and middle-income countries including Ethiopia. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and to assess the potential risk factors of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, data on the sociodemographic and potential obstetric and behavioral risk factors were gathered through pretested structured questionnaires, and 3 mL of venous blood was also drawn from each of randomly selected 233 study subjects. The serum samples were separated from the blood samples and tested for anti-Toxoplasma antibody using Toxo-latex slide agglutination test. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between risk factors considered and T gondii infection.Results:The overall prevalence of T gondii infection was 67.8%, indicating a high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the study area. In multivariate analysis, keeping domestic cat at home was found to be the only explanatory variable of toxoplasmosis (adjusted odds ratio = 2.449, 95% confidence interval = 1.183-5.070, P = .016). All sociodemographic variables and most of the potential obstetric and behavioral risk factors were not statistically significant explanatory variables of T gondii infection.Conclusion:The prevalence of toxoplasmosis is high in the study area. Thus, pregnant women should be aware of the potential risk of the disease when keeping cats at home and management of their litter. Inclusion of serologic screening for T gondii infection at antenatal care is warranted for prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis.

Male-to-Female Transmission of Toxoplasmosis Between Sexual Partners

Background: Toxoplasmosis is one of the most widespread human parasitoses in the developed countries. Toxoplasma gondii has been found in the ejaculate of various animals, including human. Sexual transmission of this zoonosis has been confirmed in several animal species but not in human. Nevertheless, a large part of infections in mothers of children with congenital toxoplasmosis cannot be explained by contact with any currently known risk factor, while high prevalence of toxoplasmosis has been observed in the fathers of children with this diagnosis. This indirect evidence supports the hypothesis of sexual transmission of toxoplasmosis in humans. Methods: We compared the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in couples and analysed various risk factors for toxoplasmosis including the infection status of sexual partner. By comparing the risk factors for Toxoplasma infection in men and women, we tested the hypothesis of man-to-woman sexual transmission of toxoplasmosis. Findings The prevalence of toxoplasmosis in women with infected male partners (25·6%; n=156) was higher than the prevalence in women with uninfected male partners (18·2%; n=477; p=0·023). Partner's infection therefore seems to be a risk factor for infection in women (n=593; odd ratio=1·602; p=0·022) but not in men (n=573; odds ratio=1·064; p=0·816). Interpretation: Our results support the hypothesis of sexual transmission of toxoplasmosis from men to women. The risk may seem relatively low, but transmission can occur during unprotected sexual intercourse, which may be the time of conception. Due to the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis, even a lower risk of infection than that observed in our study can represent a serious public health problem. Funding Statement: Charles University Grant Agency (number 104218), Czech Science Foundation Grant (number 18-13692S), Charles University Research Centre program (number 204056) and RVO-VFN64165 from the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic. Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Blood samples for serological testing for toxoplasmosis were taken during a routine examination. This research has been repeatedly approved by Ethics Committee of General University Hospital in Prague (No. 384/16; 92/17) and by Institutional review board of Faculty of Science, Charles University (No. 2015/29).

Molecular genotyping and serological evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii in mothers and their spontaneous aborted fetuses in Southwest of Iran

BackgroundGiven the lack of routine screening and the high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in Iran, the current study aimed to find out the rate and features of Toxoplasma gondii infection in the spontaneously aborted human fetuses in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Southwestern Iran. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed on 100 spontaneously aborted fetuses’ tissues and their mother blood samples. The mothers’ sera were evaluated for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies while their buffy coat and aborted fetuses tissues were evaluated for Toxoplasma DNA. PCR product at GRA6 locus was sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was done. Likewise, quantitative Real-Time PCR was performed to find out the parasite burdens in mothers buffy coat and fetuses tissues. ResultsUsing serological method, anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies were detected in 7 (7%) and 3 (3%) out of 100 sera from women with spontaneous abortion. Real-time PCR method detected T. gondii DNA in the buffy coat of one seronegative and 2 (out of 3) IgM seropositive cases. None of the samples from aborted fetuses were infected with T. gondii. BLAST and phylogenetic analysis showed that the sequenced isolates belonged to type I of T. gondii and two identified T. gondii isolates were taxonomically grouped into one clade. ConclusionOur findings revealed type I genotype of T. gondii in two mothers with spontaneous abortion, without fetus involvement. It is necessary to examine more aborted fetuses’ samples from different geographical areas to determine the association between Toxoplasma genotype and abortion.

Distribution of Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgG antibody seropositivity among age groups and gestational periods in pregnant women

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a globally distributed parasitic disease. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence and geographic distribution of toxoplasmosis as well as determine the percentage of toxoplasmosis-associated IgM and IgG seropositivity among different age groups. In addition, it aimed to estimate the proportion of toxoplasma IgM seropositivity among pregnancy trimesters. Methods: A total of 500 pregnant women were included in this study. From each participant, a 5-ml venous blood sample was collected and centrifuged to obtain serum that was tested for Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgG antibodies using immunochromatographic testing and ELISA. Results: The overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was 24.8%. Out of the total of 500 participants, only 8% had a serological marker of acute toxoplasmosis). There is a statistically significant difference in the seroprevalence of disease among the study areas. Amongst positive cases of every trimester, 54.34% of first trimester positive cases had a serologic marker for acute toxoplasmosis. Conclusions: In this study, there is a high prevalence of toxoplasmosis. Therefore, it is necessary to test every pregnant woman for toxoplasmosis and distinguish the type of infection, as well as the conduction of public health education programs to generate the awareness.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis and associated risk factors in pregnant women at the Protestant Hospital, Mbouo-Bandjoun, Cameroon

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a common worldwide infection caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii . In Cameroon, several recent studies have reported high seroprevalence of this parasitosis in various hospitals (Douala, Limbe, Njinikom and Yaounde). The aim of this study was to determine whether this high prevalence of toxoplasmosis might occur in other regions of the country. Methodology: Serological tests by the indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for IgG and IgM were carried out on 200 pregnant women (36 HIV-positive and 164 HIV-negative) at the Protestant Hospital of Mbouo-Bandjoun in western Cameroon to determine the presence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and to identify the risk factors associated with seropositivity of the subjects. Results: The overall seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies was 45.5%. The prevalence rate was 80.5% in the HIV-positive group (47.2% IgG, 22.2% IgM and 11.1% IgG + IgM) and 37.8% in the HIV-negative group (25.6%, 9.7% and 2.4% respectively). Using a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the secondary level of educational, presence of HIV infection, and frequency of close contacts with cats were significantly associated with the prevalence of IgG and/or IgM antibodies. Conclusion: Compared with previous reports of human toxoplasmosis in Cameroon, the prevalence in our study showed a decrease in the disease occurrence. Further studies are needed to determine whether this decrease is localised to our study or a general phenomenon currently affecting the country. Keywords: Cameroon, IgG, IgM, pregnant women, seroprevalence, Toxoplasma gondii

Distribution of Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgG antibody seropositivity among age groups and gestational periods in pregnant women.

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a globally distributed parasitic disease. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence and geographic distribution of toxoplasmosis as well as evaluate the role of animal contact in disease development and determine the percentage of toxoplasmosis-associated IgM and IgG seropositivity among different age groups. In addition, it aimed to estimate the proportion of toxoplasma IgM seropositivity among pregnancy trimesters. Methods: A total of 500 pregnant women were included in this study. From each participant, a 5-ml venous blood sample was collected and centrifuged to obtain serum that was tested for Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgG antibodies using immunochromatographic testing and ELISA. Results: The overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was 24.8%, with rates of acute infection of 8%. Among positive cases of every trimester, 54.34% of first trimester positive cases had a serologic marker for acute toxoplasmosis. Among the overall positive cases, out of the 35 pregnant women with previous history of cow/buffalo contact and toxoplasmosis, 45.7% were seropositive for toxoplasma IgM; and out of 15 women with prior history of dog contact, 33.3% had a serological marker of acute toxoplasmosis. Conclusions: In this study, there is a high prevalence of toxoplasmosis and contact with domestic animals is a risk factor of this illness. Therefore, it is necessary to test every pregnant woman for toxoplasmosis and distinguish the type of infection, as well as the conduction of public health education programs to generate the awareness.

Distribution of Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgG antibody seropositivity among age groups and gestational periods in pregnant women

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a globally distributed parasitic disease. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence and geographic distribution of toxoplasmosis as well as determine the percentage of toxoplasmosis-associated IgM and IgG seropositivity among different age groups. In addition, it aimed to estimate the proportion of toxoplasma IgM seropositivity among pregnancy trimesters. Methods: A total of 500 pregnant women were included in this study. From each participant, a 5-ml venous blood sample was collected and centrifuged to obtain serum that was tested for Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgG antibodies using immunochromatographic testing and ELISA. Results: The overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was 24.8%. Out of the total of 500 participants, only 8% had a serological marker of acute toxoplasmosis). There is a statistically significant difference in the seroprevalence of disease among the study areas. Amongst positive cases of every trimester, 54.34% of first trimester positive cases had a serologic marker for acute toxoplasmosis. Conclusions: In this study, there is a high prevalence of toxoplasmosis. Therefore, it is necessary to test every pregnant woman for toxoplasmosis and distinguish the type of infection, as well as the conduction of public health education programs to generate the awareness.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection Among Β-Thalassemia Major Pediatric Population: Implications for Transfusion Transmissible Toxoplasmosis.

Children with β-thalassemia major who regularly receive blood transfusion are at risk of developing transfusion-transmitted infection. Toxoplasmosis is a common and a serious parasitic disease with high prevalence and could be transmitted through blood transfusion from healthy asymptomatic donors. However, screening Toxoplasma gondii before blood donation has not been considered. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of T. gondii antibodies among thalassemia children undergoing blood transfusion. In a case-control study, serum samples from 211 thalassemia children and 100 control children were investigated for Toxoplasma IgM and IgG using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Positive serum samples for IgG antibodies to T. gondii were further subjected to IgG avidity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection among thalassemia children was 23.2% and 53.6% for IgM and IgG anti-Toxoplasma antibodies, respectively. Whereas in the control group, the prevalence was 5% and 18% for IgM and IgG anti-Toxoplasma antibodies, respectively. There is a significant statistical difference between thalassemia and control groups regarding the prevalence of toxoplasmosis. From these positive IgG samples, 65.5% have low avidity indicating recent infection while 38.73% have high avidity indicating past infection. Due to the high serologic infection rate of toxoplasmosis among thalassemia pediatric population in this study with no existing effective therapies and no available T. gondii vaccine, appropriate strategies are critical for reducing the risk of that infection. Screening of blood for T. gondii antibodies should be considered before transmission to those children especially in countries with a high prevalence of toxoplasmosis.