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

Abstract

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.

Toxoplasma infection and Rhesus blood group system: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The articles that were of moderate [ 25 , 30 , 32 – 36 , 38 – 40 , 42 , 43 , 45 ] and high quality [ 19 , 22 – 24 , 31 , 37 , 41 , 44 ] using the NOS checklist were included in the meta-analysis. The quality scores of the various eligible studies are presented in S2 File .…”

The Medical Relevance of Toxoplasma Infections in Terms of the Safety of Blood Recipients under Immunosuppression—A Meta-Analysis

“…Many studies suggest enhancing blood safety measures of pregnant, immunocompromised, and multi-transfused patients. For this purpose, the screening for T. gondii as a priority test for all pretransfusion blood testing schedules should be performed (especially in regions with high endemicity) [ 26 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”

“…For parasitic agents to be transmitted via transfusion, several conditions must be met: (1) they must be present in the bloodstream of donors either for a prolonged duration or in a sufficient quantity to pose a risk to susceptible recipients; (2) they should be capable of causing infection in the absence of clinical symptoms; (3) they must be able to survive during the storage period of blood and its components; and (4) they should have a relatively lengthy incubation period [ 22 ]. Belkacemi and Heddi [ 28 ] indicate that the potential risk of T. gondii transmission through blood donations ranges from 1 in 100,000 to 17 in 100,000. Siegel et al [ 41 ] reported that four individuals with acute leukemia developed toxoplasmosis after receiving leukocyte transfusions from donors with chronic myelogenous leukemia.…”

Association of Toxoplasmosis and COVID-19 in a Mexican Population

“…In a study on blood donors from Sidi Bel Abbès in western Algeria, the risk prevalence was 47.7% (95% CI: 35.1–54.3). There were significant differences between other African countries in the West, East, and Central Africa, but not in Algerian pregnant women and countries in North Africa [ 29 ].…”