Toxoplasmosis among Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia
- Author:
BTE Chan
;
RN Amal
;
MI Noor Hayati
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Imported infections, migrant workers seroprevalence, toxoplasmosis
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2009;5(1):31-37
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective: Primary toxoplasmosis is usually subclinical, but in severely immunocompromised patients, it may be life0threatening. For this reason, it is important to monitor situations related to non-noticeable diseases among foreign arrivals in the country. In this study, we aimed to survey toxoplasmosis among migrants from Indonesia to Malaysia. Methods: In a prospective observational study, a serological evaluation on toxoplasmosis among 336 Indonesian migrants was conducted in a plantation and a detention camp. A study-subject information sheet was used to obtain demographic information and venous blood samples for the serological study to determine Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. The control group was composed of 198 local Malaysians working in the same plantation and detention camp. Results: The age of study participants ranged from 19-45 years ( geometric mean 29.9). One hundred and thirty-eight legal Indonesian workers (42%) were found positive for IgG and twenty workers (6%) were positive for IgM. The high prevalence rate of 54.4% among the illegal Indonesian migrants is significantly higher than that for local Malaysian workers and detainees from other countries (P<0.05). No significant difference in the prevalence rate was noted among the migrants or local workers when they were grouped according to agricultural and non-agricultural occupations (p>0.05).Conclusion: The continuous introduction of these infections may, in the long term, influence the epidemiology and further compromise efforts in control and prevention. A routine screening for toxoplasmosis may be indicated for sub-groups of migrants in this country.
