Infection risk factors associated with seropositivity forToxoplasma gondiiin a population-based study in the Central Region, Ghana

Abstract

About 20-90% of the world's population has had contact with Toxoplasma gondii parasites. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in the Central Region, Ghana. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in three selected communities. Serum samples were tested for the presence of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies by ELISA. A serological criterion for seropositivity was a positive test result for any of the two anti-Toxoplasma IgG or IgM antibodies or a combination of both. In all, 390 participants of mean age 47.0 years consisting of 118 (30.%) males and 272 (69.7%) females were tested. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii was 85% (333/390) where fishermen, farmers and fishmongers, respectively, had the highest seropositivity. IgG and IgM antibodies were detected in 329 (84%) and 25 (6%), respectively, while both IgG and IgM antibodies were detected in 21 (5%) of the participants. Respectively, 1% (4/390) and 79% (308/390) of participants tested positive for IgM-only and IgG-only antibodies. There was a significant relationship between Toxoplasma seropositivity and contact with soil, presence of a cat in the surrounding area, age, sources of drinking water, level of formal education, and socioeconomic status. The results suggest that the seashore may serve as a good ground for sporulation and survival of Toxoplasma oocysts.

Seroprevalence and potential risk factors of T. gondii infection in pregnant women attending antenatal care at Bonga Hospital, Southwestern Ethiopia

“…The odds of being infected with T.gondii was more likely occur in those consume raw meat compared to those didn't consume (AOR=5.1, 95% CI: 2.22-11.68, P:0.001) in contrast with other reports. 20,26,22 This variation in different study does not mean raw meat is not source of T.gondii infection, but this variation is due to cultural and eating habits in diverse human populations 41 and disparity of seroprevalence of T.gondii infection in meat producing animals in different countries. In this study, those handling of raw meat was protective against T.gondii infection (AOR=2.4, 95% CI: 1-5.56, P:0.049).…”

Visual impairment attributable to uncorrected refractive error and other causes in the Ghanaian youth: The University of Cape Coast Survey

“…Also of interest in this youthful population was the burden of posterior segment disease that had caused UVI in nine participants, out of which four were attributable to toxoplasmic chorioretinitis. Epidemiological survey on a subpopulation indicates that Ghana is among the countries with a high seroprevalence rate of Toxoplasma gondii , 19 signifying a high risk to this infectious agent. The outcome of our study corroborates findings that visual impairment caused by retinal disorders in the young Ghanaian population is of public health concern.…”

Predictors ofToxoplasma gondiiinfection in Czech and Slovak populations: the possible role of cat-related injuries and risky sexual behavior in the parasite transmission

“…For example, in more than two thirds of women that acquired infection during pregnancy, no contact with any known or suspected source of infection was identified [4,5]. Many studies showed that contact with cats, touching garden soil or eating raw meat were important epidemiological risk factors [6][7][8], while other studies did not demonstrate their role in transmitting the infection [9,10]. A few studies detected some unusual predictors of being T. gondii infected, such as keeping rabbits for meat [9,10], having a dog at home [11], having mice in a house [12], eating raw shellfish [13], being in a close contact with livestock [14], and having high rate of sexual activity [15,16].…”