Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Persons Referred to Maamon-Dabbagh Health Center for Medical Examination before Marriage, Erbil, North of Iraq

Abstract

Background and objectives:  Toxoplasma   gondii is a ubiquitous  parasite of warm-blooded animals that causes one of the most commen parasitic infections  in humans. Symptomatic disease is usually uncommon  and most of the infections  are asymptomatic.   The infection may be serious if it's transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy.  Prophylactic   measures, early detection  of the infection  and treatment  can avoid  congenital  toxoplasmosis   and many  long term effects. This study  was conducted  to evaluate  the prevalence of Toxoplasma   gondii antibodies among  healthy persons  referred  to Maamon-Dabbagh    Health Center  for premarriage medical exarninations.

Methods: A total of 322 serum samples  were randomly collected and examined  for detection of specific  Toxoplasma gondii IgM and/or IgG antibodies by Latex agglutination   test (LAT). IgM-ELISA   and I1gG-ELISA (using  commercial   enzyme-linked   immunosorbent   assay  kit) were also performed to increase  the accuracy of the diagnosis.  Various information  about participants was collected via., questionnaires   and data were analyzed  using SPSS software 11.

Results: The overall prevalence  was 29.19% (94/322)using   LAT. Seropositive  rate of recent (IgM)  T. gondii  infection  was 7.76%  and latent (IgG) T. gondii  infection  was  19.88%. A significant increase in T. gondii prevalence with increasing  age was confirmed (P< 0.001). No significant relations were observed between  anti= T. gondii  antibodies and gender,  occupation, inhabitants of rural and urban areas. Education level and contact  with cats.

Conclusions:   About  69.57%  of women  in this study  in Erbil  City were seronegative.   These women  are susceptible   and are at risk of acquired  Toxoplasmosis   in their pregnancy  period. So health  education  especially  in women who  are going  to marry  and also during pregnancy   is necessary to prevent congenital  toxoplasmosis.