Seroprevalence of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> among healthy blood donors in two locations in Tunisia and associated risk factors

Lachkhem, Arwa; Lahmar, I.; Galal, Lokman; Babba, Oussama; Mezhoud, Habib; Hassine, M.; Lachkhem, Ahmed; Dardé, Marie‐Laure; Mercier, Aurélien; Babba, Hamouda

doi:10.1051/parasite/2020049

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(59 reference statements)

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“…The prevalence rate obtained in this study is in line with that found in Algerian pregnant women [5]. Moreover, this prevalence was comparable to those described in neighboring countries in North Africa due to the same socio-cultural behaviors [6][7][8][9]. However, the prevalence was lower than recorded in other African countries of West, East and Central Africa [10][11][12].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

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

Belkacemi¹,

Heddi²

2022

Cureus

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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 onethird 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.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

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

Belkacemi¹,

Heddi²

2022

Cureus

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“…Consistent with this, lineages shared with other global geographical areas are present in Africa and unique African haplogroups (111)(112)(113). Studies of seroprevalence indicate that carriage of T. gondii is common in the African population (114,115), with recent reports indicating that seroprevalences vary broadly depending on region and age and range on average between 30-70% (116)(117)(118)(119)(120)(121). The seroprevalence levels in humans go together with the reported prevalence in animals used for meat consumption (113,122).…”

Section: Prevalence Of Carriage Of T Gondii In Africasupporting

confidence: 53%

“…Blood serologic tests are broadly used in Africa for general diagnostics (116)(117)(118)(119)(120). Further, detection of T. gondii DNA by PCR in the cerebrospinal fluid is of high diagnostic value for CNS manifestations (173).…”

Section: Value Of Neuroimmune Changes In Diagnostics and Therapiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuroimmunology of Common Parasitic Infections in Africa

et al. 2022

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Parasitic infections of the central nervous system are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa. The neurological, cognitive, and psychiatric sequelae of these infections result from a complex interplay between the parasites and the host inflammatory response. Here we review some of the diseases caused by selected parasitic organisms known to infect the nervous system including Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosoma brucei spp., and Taenia solium species. For each parasite, we describe the geographical distribution, prevalence, life cycle, and typical clinical symptoms of infection and pathogenesis. We pay particular attention to how the parasites infect the brain and the interaction between each organism and the host immune system. We describe how an understanding of these processes may guide optimal diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to treat these disorders. Finally, we highlight current gaps in our understanding of disease pathophysiology and call for increased interrogation of these often-neglected disorders of the nervous system.

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“…Simon et al found that six French dairy farms were found to be contaminated by T. gondii , and the proportion of contaminated soil samples was high (37.7% to 66.3%) compared with contaminated soils that have been found in other rural areas ( 15 ). In two locations of Tunisia seroprevalences of T. gondii among healthy blood donors showed that participants from urban areas (42.8%) are less infected than those living in rural areas (54.05%), where contamination of the environment by T. gondii oocysts and exposure to the parasite is higher ( 16 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in blood donors applied to the blood center of Gazi University Hospital

Yılmaz¹,

Yazıcı²,

Turk³

2021

IJM

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Background and Objectives: Toxoplasmosis is a life-threatening zoonotic infection in immunosuppressive individuals. Determining the prevalence and seropositivity rates of toxoplasmosis in asymptomatic blood donors is crucial in terms of the risk status of the transmission of this infection to the blood recipients. Materials and Methods: In this study, the presence and level of the specific Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies in blood donors was investigated by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). The statistical significance levels between Toxoplasma seropositivity and demographic characteristics of the donors such as age, educational status, raw meat consumption, drinking water supply were examined. Results: Toxoplasma IgG seropositivity was found among the 225 (25.6%) of the donors present in the study group, while IgM seropositivity was detected in 20 donors (2.3%). The number of donors with only IgM (+) was 8 (0.9%). Both IgG and IgM seropositivities were found in 12 donors (1.4%). Conclusion: Our study provides information about Toxoplasma seropositivity based on the samples collected from the donors who were admitted to the blood center of a university hospital in Ankara, Turkey. This study demonstrates that Toxoplasma seropositivity is high in the rural areas and the regions where the education level is low.

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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among healthy blood donors in two locations in Tunisia and associated risk factors

Cited by 9 publications

References 32 publications

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

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

Neuroimmunology of Common Parasitic Infections in Africa

Assessment of seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in blood donors applied to the blood center of Gazi University Hospital

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