Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among patients in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia
- Author:
Mohamed, Z., Hajissa, K.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2016;33(1):78-83
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide endemic zoonotic infection caused by the obligate
coccidian parasite Toxoplasma gondii. To assess the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection
among hospital population of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), a cross-sectional
study was conducted using serum samples of 102 participants. Samples were screened for
the presence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA). Only one sample recorded as IgM positive (0.98%) (1/102; 95% CI = 0.02–
5.34%), whereas 44.12% (45/102; 95% CI = 34.29–54.29%) were IgG positive. The study showed
that seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis significantly differs between age groups (p < 0.001),
with high prevalence of T. gondii infection (37.8%) among patients aged less than one month.
Moreover, the study indicated a significant difference in the prevalence of toxoplasmosis
between males and females. Additionally, a significant dependent relationships were observed
(p = 0.003), when the reasons of toxoplasma serology request was considered, and the
highest prevalence (59.6%) observed in congenital toxoplasmosis. In conclusion, the
seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in our study group was high. The study provides preliminary
information about the seroprevalence and epidemiology of T. gondii infection among the
hospital population in HUSM.
- Full text:P020160419528613393189.pdf
