Transmission Of Toxoplasmosis Research Articles

Toxoplasma gondii DNA in Tissues of Anadromous Arctic Charr, Salvelinus alpinus, Collected From Nunavik, Québec, Canada.

Toxoplasma gondii is a very common zoonotic parasite in humans and animals worldwide. Human seroprevalence is high in some regions of Canada's North and is thought to be associated with the consumption of traditionally prepared country foods, such as caribou, walrus, ringed seal and beluga. While numerous studies have reported on the prevalence of T. gondii in these animals, in the general absence of felid definitive hosts in the North there has been considerable debate regarding the source of infection, particularly in marine mammals. It has been proposed that fish could be involved in this transmission. The objectives of the present study were to perform a targeted survey to determine the prevalence of T. gondii DNA in various tissues of anadromous Arctic charr sampled in Nunavik, Québec, and to investigate the possible role of this commonly consumed fish in the transmission of infection to humans and marine mammals in Canada's North. A total of 126 individual Arctic charr were sampled from several sites in Nunavik, and various tissues were tested for the presence of T. gondii DNA using PCR. Overall, 12 out of 126 (9.5%) Arctic charr tested in the present study were PCR-positive, as confirmed by DNA sequencing. Brain tissue was most commonly found to be positive, followed by heart tissue, while none of the dorsal muscle samples tested were positive. Although the presence of T. gondii DNA in brain and heart tissues of Arctic charr is very intriguing, infection in these fish, and their possible role in the transmission of this parasite to humans and marine mammals, will need to be confirmed using mouse bioassays. Arctic charr are likely exposed to T. gondii through the ingestion of oocysts transported by surface water and ocean currents from more southerly regions where the definitive felid hosts are more abundant. If infection in Arctic charr can be confirmed, it is possible that these fish could play an important role in the transmission of toxoplasmosis to Inuit, either directly through the consumption of raw fish or indirectly through the infection of fish-eating marine mammals harvested as country foods.

Community knowledge, attitudes, and practices about toxoplasmosis in Unguja Island, Tanzania

Background: Toxoplasmosis is among the globally neglected zoonotic diseases caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Humans get infected after ingesting or coming into contact with oocysts from the feces of infected cats. Illiteracy about the infection is one of the significant risk factors for its transmission. The study aimed to determine the community knowledge, attitudes, and practices that influence toxoplasmosis transmission in Unguja Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional design, which was done from February to April 2023. Semi-structured questionnaires collected data on 139 respondents' demographics, practices, knowledge, and attitudes regarding toxoplasmosis. The chi-square test was used to assess the statistical association between variables at a p-value of < 0.05. Results: Out of 139 recruited respondents, only 18.0% of respondents were aware of Toxoplasmosis. The study revealed several risk factors for Toxoplasmosis transmission, whereby 63.1% of the cat owners didn't deworm their cats regularly, 70.8% didn't clean the cat kennels, and 53.1% didn't wash their hands after cleaning kennels and touching a cat. Furthermore, out of all respondents, about two-thirds didn't drink treated water and 87.8% ate raw vegetables as salads. The study revealed both negative and positive attitudes concerning Toxoplasmosis, where 64.7% of respondents thought that cats cannot transmit pathogens to humans and 66.2% did not agree with people interacting with stray cats, respectively. There was an association of awareness of the disease's existence with high education levels (P value = 0.001) and sex (females) (P = 0.002). Conclusion: The study revealed a low awareness of the existence of the infection despite the higher interaction of cats with humans in the study area. We recommend the provision of public health education focusing on how the disease is transmitted, the relationship of the disease with cats, the management of cat feces, clinical signs of the disease, its treatment, and control.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Preventive Behavior Regarding Toxoplasmosis among Females in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Toxoplasmosis, a prevalent parasitic zoonotic disease, is influenced by various factors such as the climate, dietary habits, and hygiene practices. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors regarding toxoplasmosis among females in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Utilizing a bilingual Google form, a cross-sectional online survey was distributed in both Arabic and English, and it was conducted between 11 January 2024 and 4 March 2024. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Version 27, with a p-value ≤ 0.05 indicating significant qualitative data. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. A total of 533 participants were included in the study. Participants aged 18-25 years old constituted the largest group (70.4%), with those aged 26-40 years old accounting for 14.4% and ages 41-60 years old comprising 15.2%. Among the participants, 76.4% were unmarried, and 21.4% were pregnant. Notably, 79.2% of participants reported being unaware of toxoplasmosis, with only 9.0% gaining awareness from doctors and a mere 3.6% from awareness campaigns. Any understanding of the disease's severity and causative factors was limited to 15.9%. Despite a generally positive attitude towards preventive measures, significant correlations were found between toxoplasmosis and age (p-value 0.093), as well as the consumption of medium-cooked meat (p-value 0.008). Other variables, such as social status, cat ownership, handwashing before meals, and washing fruits and vegetables did not show significant correlations. Diet and hygiene practices notably impact toxoplasmosis transmission. In Riyadh, 79% of participants did not own cats, and 67.7% avoided undercooked meat. However, 6.7% used unfiltered water, and 8.4% did not wash their hands after handling raw meat and vegetables. The study concludes that there is insufficient knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis among females in Riyadh. Despite low knowledge, there is a neutral to slightly positive attitude and a willingness to learn and adopt preventive measures when informed. With better education, attitudes towards toxoplasmosis could improve due to a desire to learn and act. While general hygiene practices were favorable, specific preventive behaviors for toxoplasmosis need enhancement to reduce infection risks.

Evaluation of T. gondii, rubella, and cytomegalovirus seroprevalences among female Syrian refugees in Sanliurfa, Turkiye.

Since the Syrian Civil War began in 2011, the official number of refugees under temporary protection in Turkiye is reported to be 3,522,036 in 2023. Most of the Syrians living outside the refugee camps have worse conditions in terms of access to healthcare centers and social opportunities, compared to those living in camps. The Sanliurfa province hosts the third highest number of Syrians (370,291) in Turkiye. There are no data about the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), rubella (rub), or cytomegalovirus (CMV) among Syrian refugees in Sanliurfa. We aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of T. gondii, rub, and CMV infections among female Syrian refugees of reproductive age (15-49 years) living in Sanliurfa province. A cross-sectional study was conducted in different districts of Sanliurfa. A total of 460 households were selected using the probability sampling method. One married female Syrian refugee aged between 15 and 49 years, was chosen in each household, leading to a sample size of 410 female Syrian refugees. The seropositivity of T. gondii, CMV, and rub IgM and IgG in blood samples were analyzed using enzyme immunoassays (Abbott Architect, Illinois, USA). The seropositivity rates of T. gondii, CMV, and rubella IgM and IgG were 4.4% and 59.8%; 3.9%; and 99%; and 1.9%, and 99.5%, respectively. A screening program should be implemented for T. gondii, CMV, and rub infections for Syrian refugees. Seronegative women should be vaccinated against rub and educated about the transmission and preventive routes of toxoplasmosis and CMV infection.

Employing digital PCR for enhanced detection of perinatal Toxoplasma gondii infection: A cross-sectional surveillance and maternal-infant outcomes study in El Salvador.

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasitic infection that can be transmitted in utero, resulting in fetal chorioretinitis and other long-term neurological outcomes. If diagnosed early, pregnancy-safe chemotherapeutics can prevent vertical transmission. Unfortunately, diagnosis of acute, primary infection among pregnant women remains neglected, particularly in low-and-middle-income countries. Clinically actionable diagnosis is complex due to the commonality of infection during childhood and early adulthood which spawn long-last antibody titers and historically unreliable direct molecular diagnostics. The current study employed a cross-sectional T. gondii perinatal surveillance study using digital PCR, a next generation molecular diagnostic platform, and a maternal-fetal outcomes survey to ascertain the risk of vertical toxoplasmosis transmission in the Western Region of El Salvador. Of 198 enrolled mothers at the time of childbirth, 6.6% had evidence of recent T. gondii infection-85% of these cases were identified using digital PCR. Neonates born to these acutely infected mothers were significantly more likely to meconium aspiration syndrome and mothers were more likely to experience labor and delivery complications. Multivariable logistic regression found higher maternal T. gondii infection odds were associated with the presence of pet cats, the definitive T. gondii host. In closing, this study provides evidence of maternal T. gondii infection, vertical transmission and deleterious fetal outcomes in a vulnerable population near the El Salvador-Guatemala border. Further, this is the first published study to show clinical utility potential of digital PCR for accurate diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis cases.

Application of gold immunochromatographic assay strip combined with digital evaluation for early detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in multiple species

BackgroundTimely diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection is necessary to prevent and control toxoplasmosis transmission. The gold immunochromatographic assay (GICA) is a means of rapidly detecting pathogen in samples. GICA-based diagnostic methods have been developed to accurately detect pathogens with high sensitivity and specificity, and their application in T. gondii diagnosis is expected to yield good results.MethodsColloidal gold test strips were produced using T. gondii C-terminal truncated apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1C). Colloidal gold-AMA1C and colloidal gold-murine protein conjugate were synthesized under optimal conditions. A nitrocellulose membrane was treated with AMA1C and goat anti-mouse antibody as the test line and control line, respectively. In total, 90 cat serum samples were tested using AMA1C-GICA and a commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The GICA results were digitally displayed using a portable colloidal gold immunochromatographic test strip analyzer (HMREADER). The sensitivity, specificity, and stability of AMA1C-GICA were assessed, and this was then used to examine clinical samples, including 203 human sera, 266 cat sera, and 81 dog sera.ResultsAMA1C-GICA had a detection threshold of 1:32 for T. gondii-positive serum. The GICA strips specifically detected T. gondii antibodies and exhibited no reactivity with Plasmodium vivax, Paragonimus kellicotti, Schistosoma japonicum, Clonorchis sinensis, and Schistosoma mansoni. Consequently, 15 (16.7%) positive samples were detected using the AMA1C-GICA and commercial ELISA kits for each of the assays. The receiver-operating characteristic curve showed that GICA had a relative sensitivity of 85.3% and specificity of 92%, with an area under the curve of 98%. After analyzing clinical samples using HMREADER, 1.2%–23.4% of these samples were found to be positive for T. gondii.ConclusionsThis study presents a novel assay that enables timely and efficient detection of serum antibodies against T. gondii, thereby allowing for its early clinical diagnosis. Furthermore, the integration of digital detection using HMREADER can enhance the implementation of GICA.Graphical

RPA-CRISPR/Cas9-based method for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii: A proof of concept

Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread and specialized intracellular protozoan pathogen that affects one third of the world’ s population, posing a great threat to public health. As the definitive host, cats excrete oocysts and play a crucial role in the transmission of toxoplasmosis. The current diagnostic tools usually require bulky equipment and expertize, which hinders the efficient diagnosis and intervention of Toxoplasma infection in cats. In this study, we combined (RPA) with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 technique to establish an easier method for the detection of T. gondii oocysts in cat fecal samples. The sensitivity, specificity, and practicability of the established RPA-CRISPR/Cas9 method were evaluated using a lateral flow strip, with the limitation of detection determined at 10 plasmid copies/μL (corresponding to about one oocyst), cross reactivity to none of Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium sp., Microsporidium biberi and Blastocystis hominis that also commonly found in cats, and comparable performance in detecting T. gondii in clinical samples to conventional PCR amplification. This RPA-CRISPR/Cas9 method provides an alternative to conventional molecular tools used in the clinical diagnosis of Toxoplasma infection in cats and other animals.

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Parasite on Blood Donor at PMI Kabupaten Magelang by Rapid Diagnostic Methods in 2022

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that can infect most warm-blooded animals, including humans. The infection is caused by Toxoplasma gondii called Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis transmission can occur because of human behaviour’s such as keeping cats, eating raw vegetables and fruit with a less clean, not washing hands properly, and consuming food and drinks served without lids that could potentially be contaminated with oocysts, as well as soil-related work such as gardening and farming. Toxoplasma gondii is an infectious parasite that could be transmitted through blood transfusions. The aim of this research was to detect IgM and IgG antibodies of Toxoplasma gondii in blood donors by Rapid Diagnostic method at PMI Kabupaten Magelang. This research is a descriptive observational with a cross sectional design and used 25 respondents with blood categories A, B, O, and AB at PMI Kabupaten Magelang in 2022. According to the results of the Toxoplasmosis examination utilizing the Rapid Diagnostic Test technique on blood donors at PMI Kabupaten Magelang, as many as 25 respondents obtained non-reactive IgM and IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii. It could be concluded that no respondents were found to have reactive IgM and IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii.

Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG seroprevalence in the general population in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis, 2000-2023.

Toxoplasmosis ranks among the most prevalent parasitic diseases globally. It seems that chronic toxoplasmosis is associated with several neuropsychiatric and other harmful effects in infected people, therefore, there is a need to investigate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis across various world regions. In this study, we conducted a meticulous meta-analysis to estimate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies within the general population in Iran (GPI). International and national scientific databases for studies published between January 1, 2000, and September 30, 2023, were searched. Observational studies reporting anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalence in the GPI was selected/included. The data were synthesized using a random-effects model to calculate with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) the national and regional anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalence rates in Iran. Additionally, subgroup analyses were conducted to investigate the frequency of exposition to T. gondii in different socio-demographic, climatic, and geographical scenarios. From 18661 identified studies, 327 were included in the present meta-analysis, encompassing 122,882 individuals across the 31 Iranian provinces. The pooled nationwide anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalence among the GPI was determined to be 32.9% (95% CI: 30.9-35.1%). The highest anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalence was observed in Mazandaran province (North of Iran) (61%), whereas the lowest was in Semnan province (12.5%).Anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalence demonstrated a higher occurrence in provinces characterized by moderate temperatures of 16-21°C, high relative humidity, and annual precipitation. Additionally, a higher anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalence was identified among individuals with a habit of consumption of undercooked meat, raw fruits or vegetables, and untreated water. Moreover, those reporting direct contact with cats, possessing a lower level of education, residing in rural areas, being engaged in farming occupations, or playing the role of housewives exhibited higher anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalence figures.The anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalence within GPI closely aligns with the estimated worldwide average exposition rates. This underscores the imperative for public health policymakers to prioritize educational efforts regarding toxoplasmosis transmission pathways and its link to harmful effects.

Proteomics analysis of Toxoplasma gondii merozoites reveals regulatory proteins involved in sexual reproduction

Sexual reproduction plays a crucial role in the transmission and life cycle of toxoplasmosis. The merozoites are the only developmental stage capable of differentiation into male and female gametes, thereby initiating sexual reproduction to form oocysts that are excreted into the environment. Hence, our study aimed to perform proteomic analyses of T. gondii Pru strain merozoites, a pre-sexual developmental stage in cat IECs, and tachyzoites, an asexual developmental stage, using the tandem mass tag (TMT) method in order to identify the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) of merozoites. Proteins functions were subjected to cluster analysis, and DEPs were validated through the qPCR method. The results showed that a total of 106 proteins were identified, out of which 85 proteins had quantitative data. Among these, 15 proteins were differentially expressed within merozoites, with four exhibiting up-regulation and being closely associated with the material and energy metabolism as well as the cell division of T. gondii. Two novel DEPs, namely S8GHL5 and A0A125YP41, were identified, and their homologous family members have been demonstrated to play regulatory roles in oocyte maturation and spermatogenesis in other species. Therefore, they may potentially exhibit regulatory functions during the differentiation of micro- and macro-gametophytes at the initiation stage of sexual reproduction in T. gondii. In conclusion, our results showed that the metabolic and divisional activities in the merozoites surpass those in the tachyzoites, thereby providing structural, material, and energetic support for gametophytes development. The discovery of two novel DEPs associated with sexual reproduction represents a significant advancement in understanding Toxoplasma sexual reproduction initiation and oocyst formation.

Gestational toxoplasmosis treatment changes the child's prognosis: A cohort study in southern Brazil.

We evaluate the drug treatment for pregnant women with acute toxoplasmosis to reduce the risk of congenital infection, side effects (prenatal and postnatal treatment in children) and the hazard of discontinuing the infant's medication. We conducted a prospective cohort study to assess the risks of congenital toxoplasmosis among children born to acutely infected women with and without treatment. We examined the relationship between "exposed" and "infected children", "number of infant neutrophils", "prenatal" and "postnatal treatment". Factor analysis of mixed data (FAMD) was used to analyze the data. All children started treatment at the hospital. Between 2017 and 2021, 233 pregnant women were evaluated at the University Hospital of Maringá; ninety-four met criteria for acute gestational toxoplasmosis. We followed up 61 children; eleven (18%) had the infection confirmed and 50 (82%) were free of toxoplasmosis (exposed). Children born to untreated mothers have 6.5-times higher risk of being infected; the transmission rate among untreated mothers was 50% versus 8.3% among treated ones. Three decreasing values of immunoglobulin G were a security parameter for stopping the child's medication in the exposed group (50/61). Neutropenia was the leading side effect among children and the infected had a 2.7 times higher risk. There was no correlation between maternal use of pyrimethamine and children's neutropenia. The follow-up of women with acute T. gondii infection and their children, through a multidisciplinary team, availability of anti-T. gondii serology and pre- and post-natal treatments reduced the risk of toxoplasmosis transmission.

The potent synergistic effect of Brassica oleracea against congenital Toxoplasma infection in rat model

Congenital toxoplasmosis is among the leading causes of fetus damage and abortion. Pyrimethamine + sulfadiazine is usually the chosen treatment against toxoplasmosis during pregnancy. Severe cutaneous adverse responses, teratogenicity, and changes in bilirubin metabolism are just a few examples of the pyrimethamine + sulfadiazine's toxicity. The present study aimed to assess the potent effect of a Brassica oleracea-based diet to synergistically enhance the effect of pyrimethamine + sulfadiazine in combating congenital toxoplasmosis and reduce the drug adverse effects. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) was included in a standard pellet diet for the T. gondii infected pregnant rats. At the end of the experiment interleukins (IL-6, IL- 10), TNF-α, NF-κB and IFN-γ levels, biochemical analyses, parasite count and histopathological studies were assessed. A noticeable decrement was observed in the combination treated rat group (pyrimethamine + sulfadiazine and broccoli-based diet feed). Moreover, the biochemical analysis further validated the potent combined therapy effectiveness. The parasitological study revealed that the mean tachyzoites count was the lowest among pregnant rats and the offspring group after receiving the formulated combined treatment. Moreover, the histopathological studies revealed that the combined treatment had a significant synergistic effect on the tissues of spleen and liver. While the cerebral cortex of fetuses maternally fed on the broccoli-based diet showed mild symptoms of damage with normal neurons. Taken together, the broccoli-based diet enhanced the immunological, biochemical, and histological responses against toxoplasmosis and also decreased the vertical transmission of congenital toxoplasmosis.

The community knowledge, awareness, and practices influencing transmission of toxoplasmosis in Mbeya District, Tanzania

Background: Toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii is an important but neglected zoonotic disease of global distribution. The study aimed at evaluating community knowledge, awareness, and practices linked to transmission and control of the disease among the residents of urban and peri-urban areas of Mbeya District, Tanzania. Methods: A cross-section study was conducted from January 2022 to March 2022 in the Mbeya district. A semi-structured questionnaire was self-administered to gather information on social demographic characteristics, knowledge, and risk behaviors related to toxoplasma infection, chi squire was employed to test the difference where p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 100 respondents were recruited. The majority (38.0%) of the respondents were aged 26 - 35 years and (49.0%) had attained primary education. The average mean age was 35.6 (+ 11.5 SD), 57% were male while 43.0% were female. Only 22 percent of the respondents were aware of toxoplasmosis and among them, 10 percent were aware of the clinical manifestations of the disease and 20 percent knew the mode of the disease transmission. Identified risk practices include lack of deworming in cats (81.0%), outdoor cats management (60.0%), disposal of cats' faces in gardens (36.0%), use of cats in controlling rodents (41.0%), and not wearing gloves during gardening (77.0%). Children are noted to be at the highest risk of contracting the disease as they are greatly involved in caring for cats. (49.0%). The knowledge of the disease was found to be associated with sex (males) p value= of 0.041, occupation (medical employees) p-value =0.002, and high level of education of the respondents' p value =0.000.\. Conclusion: The study revealed a low level of knowledge of the participants and practiced risky behaviors for disease transmission. Thus, we recommend to relevant authorities to offer education to the community concerning Toxoplasmosis.

Maternal anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies IgG2, IgG3 and IgG1 are markers of vertical transmission and clinical evolution of toxoplasmosis in the offspring

Toxoplasma gondii can be transmitted vertically during pregnancy and may cause neurological, ocular, and even systemic damage to the offspring. Congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) can be diagnosed during gestation and/or after birth in the postnatal period. The timely diagnosis is highly relevant for efficient clinical management. The most common laboratory methods for diagnosing CT are based on Toxoplasma-specific humoral immune responses. However, these methods are of low sensitivity or specificity. In a previous study with a small number of cases, the comparison of anti-T. gondii IgG subclasses between mothers and their offspring showed promising results for CT diagnosis and prognosis. Thus, in this work, we analyzed specific IgG subclasses and IgA in 40 T. gondii-infected mothers and their children, of which 27 were congenitally infected and 13 uninfected. A higher frequency of anti-Toxoplasma IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, and IgA antibodies was observed in mothers and congenitally infected offspring. Of these, IgG2 or IgG3 were statistically the most conspicuous. In the CT group, maternal IgG3 antibodies were significantly associated with severe disease of the infants and IgG1 and IgG3 with disseminated disease. The results support that maternal anti-T. gondii IgG3, IgG2 and IgG1 are markers of congenital transmission and severity/spread of disease in the offspring.

Epidemiology and isolation of viable Toxoplasma gondii strain from macropods

Wallabies and other marsupials are highly susceptible to Toxoplasma gondii. In this study, 26 macropod samples were collected (8 red kangaroos, 4 Parma wallabies, 8 red-necked wallabies, 5 albino red-necked wallabies and 1 Eastern grey kangaroo), including tissue (n = 9) and serum (n = 17) samples. According to the modified agglutination test (MAT) results (cutoff 1:25), 50% (95% Cl: 32.06–67.94%) of the macropods had T. gondii antibodies. Among them, species, survival state, and sampling date were risk factors for T. gondii susceptibility (P < 0.05). T. gondii DNA was detected in two (cases #14 and #15) of the nine cases obtained from macropod tissues. One viable T. gondii strain (TgRooCHn4) was isolated from an albino red-necked wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus, case #14) via bioassay in mice. TgRooCHn4 belongs to ToxoDB genotype #3, using the 10 multilocus PCR-RFLP markers. The ROP18 and ROP5 gene allele types of TgRooCHn4 were 2/2, which was predicted to be non-lethal to mice. The virulence of TgRooCHn4 tachyzoites was avirulent in mice. Most macropods sampled from Hernan province in 2021 and 2022 were positive with T. gondii infection. A flood occurred in July 2021 in Zhengzhou from Henan province may promote the transmission of T. gondii oocysts. To our knowledge, this is the first T. gondii strain isolated from albino red-necked wallaby. However, further investigation is required to enhance our understanding of the transmission and prevention of toxoplasmosis in sensitive zoo animals.

Anti-Toxoplasma IgM-IgG Titer in Malignancy Patients Receiving Chemotherapy at Dr. H Abdul Moeloek General Hospital of Lampung Province

Transmission of toxoplasmosis is influenced by interacting disease agents, hosts and environmental conditions. Nutritional status is a host factor that cannot be ignored. Some studies suggest that high body mass index has a strong association with Toxoplasmosis. This study aims to analyze anti-toxoplasmosis IgM and IgG titers based on nutritional status in patients with malignancies who receive chemotherapy at the Lampung Provincial General Hospital, Indonesia. The design of this study was cross-sectional. The population of this study were malignancy patients who received chemotherapy with or without symptoms of infection at Lampung Provincial Hospital. Blood samples were examined for Toxoplasmosis serology to measure IgG and IgM titers. Examination with CMIA technique. Data analysis was done descriptively followed by Anova or Kruskal Wallis test. The results of this study showed that there were no differences in mean age, IgM and IgG titers in the three nutritional status groups.

Toxoplasmosis Immunity Status of Blood Donors in Sidi Bel Abbès, West Algeria.

BackgroundToxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease. It is due to an obligate intracellular protozoan called Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). Felids are considered definitive hosts, and humans take part as intermediate hosts. At least one-third of the world’s population is seropositive to the parasite. In addition, to the known modes of transmission, the infection can be transmitted through blood transfusions. The aim of this study is to assess the immune status of blood donors about this disease and estimate the potential risk by blood components.MethodologyA single cross-sectional study was conducted based on the search for T. gondii antibodies (IgG and IgM) in blood donors. This research was performed using a latex particle agglutination assay confirmed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsIn all, 103 blood donors were involved in this study. The sex ratio of male/ female was 0.75. The recorded rate of exposure to toxoplasmosis in blood donors was 47.7% (95% CI: 35.1-54.3). Significant differences were observed between the prevalence and those of other African countries in West, East, and Central Africa, but not with those of Algerian pregnant women and neighboring North African countries. There was no association between T. gondii seropositivity and the following factors: sex, age, and blood group ABO or Rhesus. Antitoxoplasma IgG was detectable in all positive donors, while IgM was undetectable. All seropositive donors had an IgG titer ≥9 IU/ml. The potential risk of T. gondii transmission ranges from 1 per 100,000 to 17 per 100,000 blood donations.ConclusionThe seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was comparable to those found in Algerian pregnant women and neighboring North African countries. However, the seroprevalence rate was lower than recorded in other African countries. There is even a risk of transmission of toxoplasmosis through blood transfusions. There is a need to enhance blood safety measures for pregnant, immunocompromised, and multi-transfused people. As the immune status of blood donors may vary by region, there is a need to extend the national studies to the entire country. This study provides the first data on the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection among Algerian blood donors and the risk of its transmission by transfusion of blood components.

Serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cats in Khon Kaen, Northeast Thailand.

Background and Aim:Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Cats are known to be the definitive hosts that can excrete these environmentally resistant oocysts. Other mammals, avians, and even humans can serve as the intermediate host. T. gondii infection is often asymptomatic in healthy individuals; however, it could result in serious health problems in immunocompromised and pregnant individuals. This study investigated the occurrence of T. gondii infection in cats in Khao Suan Kwang and Mueang Khon Kaen.Materials and Methods:In total, 100 serum samples from cats, that is, 62 owned cats (31 males and 31 females) and 38 adopted stray cats (21 males and 17 females), were examined for antibodies against T. gondii through rapid immunochromatographic tests (ICT). Owners were asked to sign a consent form and answer the questionnaires before sample collection. Demographic information about the cats and their owners was also recorded.Results:The overall seroprevalence of cats positive for T. gondii antibodies was found to be 5%. Notably, the Toxoplasma antibody prevalence was significantly higher in the adopted stray cats (10.53% [4/38]) that roamed the zoo than in the owned cats (1.61% [1/62]) (p > 0.05). No significant difference was observed between male (8.33%) and female (1.92%) cats. The cat owners’ questionnaire revealed that more than half had never heard of toxoplasmosis before (67.7%), whereas 30.6% knew nothing about the disease transmission routes.Conclusion:This study presented a low seroprevalence of antibodies to T. gondii in owned cats from the Mueang Khon Kaen District, whereas high seroprevalence was detected in the adopted stray cats from Khao Suan Kwang. Adopted stray cats can have a higher potential for T. gondii infection; thus, they could be a source of toxoplasmosis transmission to humans. Therefore, it is essential to control the number of stray cats, and a screening test for antitoxoplasmosis could be recommended before adoption. Although the total seroprevalence was noted to be low, the zoonotic disease was present. Therefore, raising the community’s awareness and knowledge might reduce the disease transmission from animals to humans.

Seroprevalence of Gestational and Neonatal Toxoplasmosis as well as Risk Factors in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Background Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women, is a significant public health problem due to risk of mother to child transmission. The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women and corresponding cord blood among women attending Biyem-Assi and CASS Nkoldongo hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Methods An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2019 and May 2020 on 300 pregnant women from late second trimester to third trimester. A total of 259 cord blood samples were collected at birth from these women. Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG and IgM antibodies in maternal and cord blood were detected using the Toxoplasma Enzyme Immunosorbent Assay kit, and potential risk factors captured through questionnaire were identified using binary logistic regression model. Statistical significance was measured at P < 0.05. Results The overall seroprevalence of gestational and neonatal toxoplasmosis was 80% and 88%, respectively. IgG seropositivity was 72.7%, IgM only was 1.3% and cooccurrence of IgG/IgM was 6% amongst pregnant women. Out of 259 newborn cord bloods, 72.2% were positive for IgG only, 8.9% for IgM only, and 23.9% for both IgG/IgM. Pregnant women 15-24 years (AOR = 4.6, P = 0.011) and women with primary level of education (AOR = 3.9, P = 0.042) were significantly at risk of infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Conclusion Gestational and neonatal toxoplasmosis appears to be more common with higher risk of infection in younger women and less educated women. Hence, these findings will serve as baseline data for further investigations on mother to child transmission of toxoplasmosis in Yaoundé and the need for reinforcement of pregnant women toxoplasmosis-related health measures.

A survey on Apicomplexa protozoa in sheep slaughtered for human consumption

Infections with the Apicomplexa Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Sarcocystis spp. are common causes of reproductive disorders in sheep. However, few epidemiological studies regarding co-infections with these three protozoa are reported in sheep in Italy. For this reason, this study aims to evaluate possible co-infections with T. gondii, N. caninum, and Sarcocystis spp. in sheep slaughtered for human consumption. From April to July 2019, individual blood, brain, heart, and diaphragm samples were collected from 138 sheep after slaughtering. The presence of IgG anti-Toxoplasma in serum samples was evaluated through ELISA. DNA of the three protozoa was investigated using specific PCRs. Co-infection with T. gondii, N. caninum and Sarcocystis spp. was found in 66.7% of the examined sheep. Antibodies against T. gondii were found in the 36.2% of serum samples. The presence of T. gondii DNA was detected in the 67.4%, 77.5%, and 21.7% of the brain, heart, and diaphragm samples, respectively. Neospora caninum DNA was found in 72.5% of the examined brain samples. Sarcocystis spp. DNA was detected in 92% and 52.2% of the heart and diaphragm samples, respectively. Sequence analysis of the Sarcocystis spp. revealed the sole presence of Sarcocystis tenella. The present study demonstrates that sheep have a high risk of infection with the three Apicomplexa investigated, suggesting the need to adopt adequate measures to prevent the spread of these parasitic infections considering their clinical and economic impact on ovine production. Furthermore, the possible role sheep play in the zoonotic transmission of toxoplasmosis to humans was highlighted.