Seroprevalence and epidemiological correlates of Toxoplasma gondii infections among patients referred for hospital-based serological testing in Doha, Qatar

Abu-Madi, Marawan; Al-Molawi, Naema; Behnke, Jerzy M.

doi:10.1186/1756-3305-1-39

Cited by 55 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Human contact with Toxoplasma is common (2,13,622), with one-third of the human population believed to be infected (599). Despite this, Toxoplasma infections are typically benign (599), with clinically apparent toxoplasmosis occurring almost exclusively in severely IC patients (405,599).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Importance of Nonenteric Protozoan Infections in Immunocompromised People

et al. 2010

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SUMMARY There are many neglected nonenteric protozoa able to cause serious morbidity and mortality in humans, particularly in the developing world. Diseases caused by certain protozoa are often more severe in the presence of HIV. While information regarding neglected tropical diseases caused by trypanosomatids and Plasmodium is abundant, these protozoa are often not a first consideration in Western countries where they are not endemic. As such, diagnostics may not be available in these regions. Due to global travel and immigration, this has become an increasing problem. Inversely, in certain parts of the world (particularly sub-Saharan Africa), the HIV problem is so severe that diseases like microsporidiosis and toxoplasmosis are common. In Western countries, due to the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), these diseases are infrequently encountered. While free-living amoebae are rarely encountered in a clinical setting, when infections do occur, they are often fatal. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential to the survival of patients infected with these organisms. This paper reviews information on the diagnosis and treatment of nonenteric protozoal diseases in immunocompromised people, with a focus on patients infected with HIV. The nonenteric microsporidia, some trypanosomatids, Toxoplasma spp., Neospora spp., some free-living amoebae, Plasmodium spp., and Babesia spp. are discussed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Importance of Nonenteric Protozoan Infections in Immunocompromised People

et al. 2010

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“…In Pakistan and Qatar, the neighboring countries, the overall seroprevalence rate of T. gondii infection was reported to be 29.45% and 29.8%, respectively (16,17). The prevalence of the infection in India and China was reported as 30.9% and 12.5%, respectively (18,19).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG Seropositivity Among Individuals Referred to a Clinical Laboratory of Isfahan, Central Iran

Jafari¹,

Sadeghpour²,

Sharifi³

et al. 2016

Int J Infect

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Background: Toxoplasma gondii, a zoonotic parasite, is one of the wide spread parasitic causes of asymptomatic infection in human, yet can cause severe disease and disorders in infants, when infected during pregnancy, and also in immunocompromised individuals. Thus, updated information about the prevalence of the infection in each region and time period is necessary. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of the infection in patients referred to Dr. Sharifi clinical laboratory of Isfahan, Iran, during January 2014 to January 2015. Methods: In a retrospective study, 1287 patients that had anti-Toxoplasma IgM and/or IgG test from January 2013 to January 2015 were selected and included in the study. Quantitative determination of anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG was performed using antibody capture chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) kits (LIAISON® Toxo IgM and IgG, DiaSorin S.P.A, Italy) applied using the LIAISON (DiaSorin, Germany) device. All the available variables such as anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM concentrations, gender and age were recorded and analyzed. Results: Overall, 1287 cases including 1215 (94.4%) females and 72 (5.6%) males with mean age of 28.64 years (min: 1, max: 78) were studied. The results showed that 36 (2.8%) out of 888 and 325 (25.3%) out of 1243 studied individuals were anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG seropositive, respectively. The mean age observed significantly higher in IgG positive humans (P < 0.001), but not in IgM positive ones (P = 0.065). No statistically significant relationship was observed for the IgM and IgG seropositivity and concentrations among the genders. Conclusions: According to the results of the present study, prevalence of infection with T. gondii is high in Isfahan, yet it is still lower than most of the other studied regions in the country. Also, the risk of the infection rises with increasing age.

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“…Doha city has an unusually high feral cat population that is estimated to outnumber its human inhabitants by 2-3:1, giving a total of approximately 2-3 million cats (Abu-Madi et al 2008; personal communication from the Qatar Cat Control Unit [QCCU]). The animals were originally introduced into the city to control rodent populations, and although cats are not popular as pets in this city, the feral animals are popular and are tolerated because of this perceived benefit (Abu-Madi et al 2010b;Elhag et al 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, hospital records show that human toxoplasmosis is quite widespread in the city, with up to 35% of women of child bearing age being reported to be seropositive (Abu-Madi et al 2010b), and 41% of the elderly persons of both sexes in the population (Abu-Madi et al 2008). Cats and their closely related felid relatives are the only known definitive hosts of Toxoplasma gondii (Tenter et al 2000;Dubey 2009) but cats are also hosts to other closely related species of intestinal protozoa.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feline patent Toxoplasma-like coccidiosis among feral cats (Felis catus) in Doha city, Qatar and its immediate surroundings

Abu-Madi

Behnke

2014

Acta Parasitologica

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Doha city has a high feral cat population and studies of hospital records in Doha have shown that human toxoplasmosis also occurs. Clearly, there is a need to understand the role of cats as vectors of human toxoplasmosis in the city and as a first step we assessed the extent of patent Toxoplasma-like coccidial infections among feral cats. Oocysts in cat faeces were detected between June 2008 and April 2010, from a range of locations radiating out of the city centre in concentric semi circular/elliptic rings and by north, west and south divisions within each of the rings. In total 4,652 cats were sampled and overall prevalence of oocysts was 9.1%. Prevalence was 10.1% in the first summer, and then dropped to 8.4% in the following winter and further to 6.8% in the next summer before rising to 10.6% in the final winter of the study; this interaction between annual period and season was significant. There were also significant changes in prevalence across each of the consecutive months of the study, but no clear pattern was evident. Prevalence did not vary significantly by city sector and there was no difference in prevalence between the host sexes. We conclude therefore, that despite minor and significant perturbations, the prevalence of patent Toxoplasma-like coccidial infections among cats in Doha is remarkably stable throughout the year, across years and spatially within the city's districts.

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Seroprevalence and epidemiological correlates of Toxoplasma gondii infections among patients referred for hospital-based serological testing in Doha, Qatar

Abstract: Background: The city of Doha in Qatar has a high density of feral cats and there is a high risk of toxoplasmosis for the resident human population. No data currently exist for the prevalence of infection with Toxoplasma gondii in the city.

Cited by 55 publications

References 31 publications

Importance of Nonenteric Protozoan Infections in Immunocompromised People

Importance of Nonenteric Protozoan Infections in Immunocompromised People

Anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG Seropositivity Among Individuals Referred to a Clinical Laboratory of Isfahan, Central Iran

Feline patent Toxoplasma-like coccidiosis among feral cats (Felis catus) in Doha city, Qatar and its immediate surroundings

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