Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in a representative Australian human population: The Busselton health study

Abstract

Introduction: Despite being identified as one of the top neglected parasitic infections, Toxoplasma gondii has received little recognition in Australia with no previously published prevalence data from the general human population. The objectives of the current study were to: determine the prevalence of evidence of exposure to T. gondii infection in an Australian community dwelling population, and: identify associated risk factors. Methods: Sera from 75 males and 75 age-matched females living in Busselton, Western Australia were tested for the presence of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Survey derived data were also analysed to evaluate risk factors. Results: IgG and IgM antibodies were detected in 99 (66.0%) and 15 (10.0%) of subjects, respectively. IgG seroprevalence increased from 44.4% (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 18.9-73.3%) in the 18-34 year-old age group to 81.0% (95% CI: 60.0-92.3%) in the 75-84 age group. The observed IgG seroprevalence increased at a rate of 0.8% with each year of age. No risk factors were identified. Conclusions: The first study of its kind in Australia found T. gondii infection to be highly prevalent. Toxoplasma gondii infection has been neglected in Australian notifiable disease programs therefore Australian public health authorities should focus on improving education to raise awareness and commence longitudinal epidemiological data collection to supplement public health models targeting T. gondii transmission control.

The association betweenToxoplasma gondiiinfection and asthma in the United States: A cross-sectional survey analysis

“…For all adjusted regression models, no significant relationship was detected between T. gondii infection and asthma. These findings are consistent with two other large cross-sectional studies in Scotland and Australia that found no association between T. gondii seropositivity and asthma (14,33). While our results appear to contradict several case-control studies that have found a protective effect of T. gondii infection on allergy symptoms and asthma, these studies did not consider confounders which could impact exposure to a diversity of microorganisms and their products, such as socioeconomic status or number of siblings (34,35).…”

Seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii infection: An umbrella review of updated systematic reviews and meta-analyses

“…Human are dead-end host for T. gondii with up to 80% given chronic asymptomatic disease. [ 7 8 ] Women during pregnancy and immunocompromised persons (cancer, Rheumatoid arthritis, transplant, and HIV/AIDS infected) include the high risk groups for T. gondii . [ 9 10 11 12 ]…”

Seroprevalence of low avidity anti-Toxoplasma IgG in pregnant women and its relationship with their age and contact with cats

“…Their study also concluded that there is no association between consumption of unwashed vegetables or fruits and seropositivity of T. gondii infection since 3.45% of the subjects who denied of consuming unwashed vegetables and fruits were found seropositive. Molan et al (2020) also did not identify any risk factor associated with the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection. It has been reported that immune status that develop in response to acute T. gondii infection and that during pregnancy are antagonistic to each other (Borges et al, 2018).…”