Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors forToxoplasma gondiiInfection in Healthy Blood Donors: A Cross-Sectional Study in Sonora, Mexico

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) can be transmitted by blood transfusion. We determined the prevalence of T. gondii infection in healthy blood donors in Hermosillo city, Mexico, and the association of infection with T. gondii with the sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics of blood donors. Four hundred and eight blood donors who attended two public blood banks in Hermosillo city were examined for anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies by using enzyme-linked immunoassays. Of the 408 blood donors (mean age 31.77 ± 9.52; range 18–60 years old) studied, 55 (13.5%) were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies, and 12 (21.8%) of them were also positive for anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies. Multivariate analysis showed that seropositivity to T. gondii was associated with age (OR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.03–2.94; P = 0.03) and tobacco use (OR = 2.09; 95% CI: 1.02–4.29; P = 0.04). Seropositivity to T. gondii was correlated with the number of pregnancies, deliveries, and cesarean sections. The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in blood donors in Sonora is the highest reported in blood donors in northern Mexico so far. This is the first report of an association of T. gondii exposure and tobacco use. Further research to confirm this association is needed.

Seroprevalence of transfusion-transmissible infections (HBV, HCV, syphilis and HIV) among prospective blood donors in a tertiary health care facility in Calabar, Nigeria; an eleven years evaluation

“…This demographic pattern have been replicated in earlier studies from other parts of Nigeria [44, 45]. Similar trend has been reported in India (95.20%) [46], Pakistan (99.62%) [47], Cameroon (82.0%) [48], Ethiopia (86.8%) [49] and Mexico (81.86%) [50]. This observation could be attributed to the cultural dogma that women should abstain from blood donation as they do lose blood monthly via menstruation.…”

The global seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in women who had spontaneous abortion: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…On the other hand, various warm-blooded mammals, including humans and rodents can be the intermediate host of this parasite [4]. Human infections are acquired through several major ways: 1) consumption of undercooked meat especially pork and mutton and unpasteurized milk from infected animals, 2) direct or indirect contact with oocysts from the environment, 3) vertical transmission during pregnancy, 4) blood transfusions, and 5) organ transplants [5][6][7][8]. T. gondii infection is generally asymptomatic in immunologically healthy adults.…”

Metagenomic analysis of potential pathogens from blood donors in Guangzhou, China

“…These potential pathogens are not routinely detected in blood donation screening in China. However, some of them are known as zoonosis pathogens causing severe human diseases . No research previously described these pathogens as transfusion‐transmitted infection.…”

“…However, some of them are known as zoonosis pathogens causing severe human diseases. 21,22 No research previously described these pathogens as transfusion-transmitted infection. Serotype 2 of S. suis (SS2) identified in our study is considered a most virulent pathogen that can cause human disease.…”