Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Among Nunavik Inuit (Canada)

Abstract

As a result of their intimate contact with the land and their nutritional habits, the Inuit of Nunavik are considered to be at risk from zoonotic infections. To better understand the risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection, a serosurvey was conducted in Nunavik, Québec, in September 2004. A representative sample of the Inuit adult population of Nunavik participated in this cross-sectional study (n = 917). Antibodies (IgG) against T. gondii were detected by immunoassay. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, traditional activities, domestic environment and nutrition was gathered by questionnaire and explored as variables explanatory of seropositive results. Associations found to be statistically significant in univariate analyses were assessed by multivariable logistic regression to control for confounding factors. Almost two thirds (59.8%) of the Inuit of Nunavik were found to be seropositive for T. gondii. In multivariate analyses, risk factors for seropositivity were: increasing age, gender (women > men), lower level of education, consumption of potentially contaminated water (determined by an index of risk from waterborne infections), frequent cleaning of water reservoirs, and consumption of seal meat and feathered game. There was some variation in seroprevalence between the Ungava Bay coast (52.3%) and the Hudson Bay coast (65.6%), the two main regions of Nunavik, but this variation was not significant in the multivariable logistic regression model. This cross-sectional study demonstrated high T. gondii seroprevalence in the Inuit population and revealed that age, gender, schooling and community of residence all influence serostatus in this population. Variables related to drinking water and food choices may also influence the risk of infection. These results raise important questions about T. gondii transmission in Nunavik including possible links between terrestrial and marine cycles.

Toxoplasmosis and Toxocariasis: An Assessment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Comorbidity and Health-Care Costs in Canada

“…Immigrant populations are considered high risk, which may explain why urban core areas in this study reported higher incidence rates than areas with fewer new immigrants. 5,25 In contrast to serological surveys in northern Canada, which found that more females had been exposed than males, 10 our analysis found that a significantly higher proportion of males developed serious toxoplasmosis than females. HIV infection, a risk factor for the development of serious toxoplasmosis disease, is more prevalent among men than women in Canada (0.32% among men, 0.096% among women).…”

“…5 The national incidence rate for toxoplasmosis is unknown for Canada, although various seroprevalence estimates in indigenous communities have been reported (3-65%). 10,11 In the United States, one case of TE has a direct treatment cost of approximately US$10,379 (1992 U.S. dollars), and overall economic losses associated with congenital toxoplasmosis are estimated at US$0.4-8.8 billion annually. 6 This latter estimate takes into account medical costs (≈US$45 million/year), income losses scaled to the level of disability (US$2.8 billion/year), and special residential/education needs due to mental or physical impairment (US$2.4 billion/ year over a 40-year lifespan).…”

People, Pets, and Parasites: One Health Surveillance in Southeastern Saskatchewan

“…29,30 In northern Canada, risk factors include female gender, increasing age, frequency of fishing, berry picking, bird handling, cleaning domestic water reservoirs, and consumption of marine mammals, fish, and birds. 31 In our communities, we observed many cats living outdoors, where hunting and eating intermediate hosts (i.e., rodents, birds) is a likely source of infection. Approximately one-fifth of human participants were involved with hunting/trapping and skinning/ butchering activities, with approximately equal representation between males and females.…”

Sentinel Surveillance for Zoonotic Parasites in Companion Animals in Indigenous Communities of Saskatchewan

“…[3][4][5] More recently, surveillance of people residing in northern Indigenous communities across Canada has raised concerns regarding the seroprevalence of exposure to parasitic zoonoses, including Echinococcus, Toxoplasma, Trichinella, and Toxocara. 2,[6][7][8][9][10][11] Companion animals, such as dogs, act as bridging hosts between wildlife and people, and they can serve as sources of human infection with Echinococcus spp., T. canis, and zoonotic genotypes of Giardia through shedding infective parasite eggs and cysts in feces. [12][13][14] For other parasites, such as Toxoplasma, Trichinella, and Diphyllobothrium, dogs may serve as sentinels of shared environmental risks for humans consuming the same wild game or fish.…”