Detection of  Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Persons Referred to Maamon-Dabbagh Health Center for Medical Examination before Marriage, Erbil, North of Iraq

Akil Khudhair Al-Daoody, Ahmed

	Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Persons Referred to Maamon-Dabbagh Health Center for Medical Examination before Marriage, Erbil, North of Iraq
Medical Journal of Tikrit
Article 1, Volume 1, Issue 181, 2012, Pages 11-25
Author
Ahmed Akil Khudhair Al-Daoody
Abstract
Background and objectives: Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous parasite of warm-blooded animals that causes one of the most common parasitic infections in humans. Symptomatic disease is usually uncommon and most of the infections are asymptomatic. The infection may be serious if it's transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy. Prophylactic measures, early detection of the infection and treatment can avoid congenital toxoplasmosis and many long term effects. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies among healthy persons referred to Maamon-Dabbagh Health Center for premarriage medical examinations. Methods: A total of 322 serum samples were randomly collected and examined for detection of specific Toxoplasma gondii IgM and/or IgG antibodies by Latex agglutination test (LAT). IgM-ELISA and IgG-ELISA (using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit) were also performed to increase the accuracy of the diagnosis. Various information about participants was collected via., questionnaires and data were analyzed using SPSS software11. Results: The overall prevalence was 29.19% (94/322)using LAT. Seropositive rate of recent (IgM) T. gondii infection was 7.76% and latent (IgG) T. gondii infection was 19.88%. A significant increase in T. gondii prevalence with increasing age was confirmed (P< 0.001). No significant relations were observed between anti- T. gondii antibodies and gender, occupation, inhabitants of rural and urban areas. Education level and contact with cats. Conclusions: About 69.57% of women in this study in Erbil City were seronegative. These women are susceptible and are at risk of acquired Toxoplasmosis in their pregnancy period. So health education especially in women who are going to marry and also during pregnancy is necessary to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis. Key words: Toxoplasma gondii, Premarriage, ELISA, Erbil.

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