Seroprevalence and some demographic factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection among female population in Duhok province, Iraq

Abstract

Background: The causative agent of toxoplasmosis is Toxoplasma gondii which is an intracellular protozoan. It has an important role in abortion and congenital diseases in pregnant women, which lead to infant's defectiveness birth when pregnant, are exposed during pregnancy. Toxoplasmosis is one of the most prevalent and most successful parasitic infectious disease worldwide, due to its efficient transmission through the ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked and infected meat, or the ingestion of oocysts in contaminated vegetables and water. The present study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence rate of anti-Toxoplasma gondii Abs and their relation to some demographic factors among females, in Duhok province/ Kurdistan Region/ Iraq.Methods: During the period from October 2016 to November 2017, a total of 792 random blood samples were collected from the female population of different ages (16-55) years and various socioeconomic classes, who attended Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Azadi teaching hospital and Central Public Health Laboratory/ Duhok.Results: Out of 792 samples examined, 288 (36.3%) were seropositive from which 282 (35.61%) were found seropositive for IgG, while only six samples (0.76%) were seropositive for IgM. Regarding to occupation, the highest rate for chronic toxoplasmosis was reported in housewives followed by employed and students at rates of 40.19%, 22.3%, and 14.0%, respectively. These outcomes were statistically significant (p<0.05). The age group 36-45 years showed the highest seropositive rate for both IgG and IgM Abs which were 41.02% and 1.28%, respectively, which was statistically non-significant. The higher rate of seropositivity was observed among married females 39.93%, and pregnant 41.9% versus non-pregnant 33.3%. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.05) among married while non-significant in pregnant. Concerning to blood groups, the highest rate of seropositivity was reported among females with blood group AB+ which was 60% followed by group O- which was 46.7 %. This difference was statistically non-significant (p>0.05). Conclusions: This study showed the importance of demographic factors to the epidemiology of T. gondii in females, which support the role of public health in the control of infectious diseases.

Effects of Latent Toxoplasmosis on Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases in Pregnant Women - Duhok City-Kurdistan Region- Iraq

“…Regard to the white blood cells , lymphocytes and granulocytes were increased in IgG positive women compared to negative ones, which agrees with studies Flegr with Stiiz 28 and Leka 29 , this is due to the activation of immune system and immune cells during infection and disagree with a study Hassen et al, 30 . A decrease in red blood cells and hemoglobin had observed in seropositive women which come in accordance with other studies Flegr 28 , Mohamed 31 , and Salih et al, 32 this reduction in hemoglobin in seropositive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies women may be due to the multiplication of the parasite inside the host body cells and degradation of red blood cells which may cause anemia, that affects directly on the fetus and lead to preterm birth (when delivery occurs before 37 complete weeks of pregnancy) or have a low birth weight baby and postpartum depression.…”

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

“…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 ].…”

“…This finding is somewhat consistent with two previous studies in this city; both studies reported the highest seroprevalence of anti- Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies among those aged 33-45 and 31-35 years, respectively [ 9 , 26 ]. Furthermore, studies from other countries also reported the highest rate of IgG seropositivity among middle ages: 25-32 years in Pakistan [ 27 ], 36-45 years in Duhok [ 23 ], 33-40 years in Nigeria [ 28 ], and 31-40 years in Iran [ 29 ].…”

“…This finding is in agreement with other studies that also reported high seropositive IgM antibodies among younger ages. The lowest seroprevalence of anti- Toxoplasma IgM was observed among the age group 14-24 years which was 13.43% [ 21 ], 18-28 years which was 1% [ 34 ], 16-25 years which was 1.19 % [ 23 ], and 2-20 years which was 14.2 % [ 35 ]. However, in a study conducted in Erbil province, an IgM seropositive of young women sera was higher than older age women [ 30 ].…”

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

“…corresponding studies in Duhok City, Iraq conducted by Atroshi and Mero 20 and Ramadhan and Sarkees 21 indicated Toxoplasma seropositivity rates as 27.7% and 44.4%, respectively. Additionally, Salih et al 22 performed another study in Duhokas sessing the seropositivity for Toxoplasma antibodies (36.3%). Additionally, another study 23 demonstrated that the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in Kirkuk Province, Iraq, was 36.17%.…”