Seroprevalence And Risk Factors of Toxoplasmosis among Undergraduate Female Students of University of Duhok

Ramadhan, Dilkhosh Shamal; Sarkees, Alaa Noori

doi:10.26682/sjuod.2019.22.2.27

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…In Erbil, rates of 37.5% and 34.18% for IgG and 9.13% and 10.86% for IgM, respectively, have been reported [ 21 ]. In Duhok city, Ramadhan and Sarkees have conducted a seroprevalence survey among female undergraduate students [ 22 ], and Salih and colleagues [ 23 ] conducted a study among healthy women and reported rates of 44.4% and 35.61% for IgG and 11.1% and 0.76% for IgM, respectively, while much higher rates for both IgG and IgM at 51.5% and 45%, respectively, have been reported in Kirkuk city [ 24 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies and Associated Risk Factors Among Women in Zakho City, Iraq

Mustafa,

Mohammed,

Mero

2024

Cureus

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Toxoplasmosis, an infectious disease caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, poses varying degrees of risk, ranging from asymptomatic cases in immunocompetent individuals to severe, life-threatening conditions in immunocompromised individuals and developing fetuses, especially when infection occurs during early pregnancy. While the disease is endemic in Iraq, there is a notable lack of precise information regarding its seroprevalence among females of childbearing age and pregnant women, along with associated risk factors in the Zakho district. This cross-sectional study aimed to address this gap by determining the prevalence of anti- Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using the ELISA assay. The study involved 610 females aged 18-79 years from various residential areas within Zakho district, Iraq. The findings revealed a seroprevalence of 32.46% for anti- Toxoplasma IgG antibodies and 8.86% for IgM antibodies. Significant variations in IgG antibody seroprevalence were observed across different age groups (P=0.008), with the highest prevalence noted among those aged 46-55 years (47.73%). Conversely, IgM antibody seroprevalence, while non-significant (P>0.05), displayed the highest rate of 10.05% among ages 18-25 years. The study identified residence as a variable significantly associated with toxoplasmosis. Additionally, contact with cats, marital status, a history of abortion, and the consumption of homemade food showed significant associations with anti- Toxoplasma IgM antibodies only. These findings strongly suggest that Toxoplasma gondii is a prevalent causative agent of infection in Zakho city, Iraq. This study contributes valuable insights into the seroprevalence and associated risk factors, providing a foundation for targeted interventions and further research in this region.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This finding agrees with a study conducted in Cameroon, which demonstrated an association between marital status and IgM seropositivity [ 51 ]. On the other hand, Ramadhan and Sarkees, in Duhok, report higher seroprevalence of anti- Toxoplasma IgM among single undergraduate female students than married ones [ 22 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies and Associated Risk Factors Among Women in Zakho City, Iraq

Mustafa,

Mohammed,

Mero

2024

Cureus

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Detection of Toxoplasmosis in Association with Autoimmune Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy in Duhok, Iraq

Murad¹,

Eassa²

2023

J. Pure Appl. Microbiol.

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Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that is widely distributed in the human population and is responsible for corresponding global morbidity. Specifically, T. gondii causes toxoplasmosis, leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, and neural disorders. This parasite attacks different human organs and glands, such as the thyroid gland, and causes various corresponding health issues. Recently, studies have established a link between T. gondii and autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD), which contributes to preterm delivery, miscarriage, low birth weight, and death. Therefore, the aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and its association with AITD among pregnant women. A total of 180 blood samples were collected from pregnant women and examined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The patients were within the age range of 15–50 years old, and lived in Duhok City, Iraq; samples and clinical information was collected from August 2021 to February 2022. The corresponding blood samples were tested for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody, Toxoplasma IgG avidity, FT3, FT4, and TSH hormones, and TPO, Tg, and TSHR antibodies. Overall, our results showed that out of 180 pregnant women, 110 (61.1%) were seropositive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody; specifically, 25 (22.7%) and 85 (77.3%) had recent and past infections, respectively. Approximately 54.4% (98) of the pregnant women had thyroid disorders; further, 22 (12.2%), 13 (7.2%), and 8 (4.4%) women had TPO, Tg, and TSHR antibodies, respectively. A total of 43 (23.8%) patients screened positive for AITD. Out of the 110 Toxoplasma IgG–positive women, 35 (31.8%) had AITD. The older women, rural residents, restaurant food consumers, and women with cat contact had relatively high infection rates. Toxoplasma seropositive women had more elevated autoantibodies than seronegative ones. In conclusion, this study demonstrated a high rate of toxoplasmosis and a corresponding association with thyroid hormones changes and AITD in pregnant women in Duhok, Iraq. Further, it is necessary to reduce overall infection rates through effective health and educational programs. Therefore, it is essential to measure Toxoplasma antibodies, screen for thyroid hormones and autoantibodies, and encourage gynecologist visits to reduce the risks to mothers and fetuses.

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Sero-epidemiological Study of Toxoplasma gondii among Pregnant Women in Akre City

Saadi¹,

Ahmed²

2020

KJAR

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Recently has been observed globally that toxoplasmosis disease was caused by Toxoplasma gondii and generally its asymptomatic infection in people except pregnant women. Many previous studies were suggested this pathogen transmits by ingesting of undercooked or raw meat contaminated with the oocytes of this parasite. The study aimed to show the seroreactivity of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies among pregnant women and to evaluate association of studied risk factors with infected cases. ELISA technique used for detection of anti-toxoplasma specific IgG and IgM antibodies. A biography form interview for participant was performed to estimate between the risk factors and toxoplasmosis. The present study was carried out from the beginning of October 2018 to the end of March 2019 and included 90 pregnant women visited Akre general hospital. Out of 90 tested samples, 49 (54.46%) and 4 (4.44%) were positive for IgG and IgM respectively. According to residency factor, pregnant women from villages had higher percentages of IgG (57.14%) and IgM (4.08%) than those lived in the city which were recorded 0% and 48.48%of IgM and IgG respectively. A high percentage of IgG (65.64%) and IgM (7.27%) were found among pregnant women with history of miscarriage. Seropositivity for both IgG (61.90 %) and IgM (9.52%) was higher among pregnant women who had cats compared to those without cat. Seroprevalence of IgM and IgG was 9.67% and 54.83% among population who had undercooked meat, while 1.69% and 59.23% were positive for IgM and IgG respectively, in those well cooked meat meal. Highest positive percentage of IgG (77.77%) was recorded at ages 40-50 years while the lowest rate was (40%) at ages <20 year. Through a seropositive reaction was found that age groups as a possible risk factor by ELISA IgG in which risk increased by rising of age categories. Significant correlation was detected between consumption of undercooked meat and cases positive for IgM. It revealed the association between third trimester and cases with positive IgM. In the conclusion, toxoplasmosis is widespread in the area which requires raising awareness among pregnant women to decrease T. gondii infection and subsequently minimize possibilities of congenital transmission.

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Seroprevalence And Risk Factors of Toxoplasmosis among Undergraduate Female Students of University of Duhok

Cited by 3 publications

References 10 publications

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies and Associated Risk Factors Among Women in Zakho City, Iraq

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies and Associated Risk Factors Among Women in Zakho City, Iraq

Detection of Toxoplasmosis in Association with Autoimmune Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy in Duhok, Iraq

Sero-epidemiological Study of Toxoplasma gondii among Pregnant Women in Akre City

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