scholarly journals Toxoplasma gondii In Morocco And Palestine: General Review

Author(s):  
Zuhair Dardona ◽  
Safa Ben Alla ◽  
Mohamed Hafidi ◽  
Ali Boumezzough ◽  
Samia Boussaa

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous intracellular parasite, which is commonly known to infect all warm-blooded animals. Almost 30 % of the world’s human population is infected with this parasite, though the infection varies depending on the region and ethnic group. Also, almost half of pregnant women in Morocco and one-third in Palestine have been infected with toxoplasmosis. Several studies have been conducted in order to estimate the prevalence of this parasite among pregnant women in Morocco and Palestine. However, studies revolving around the occurrence of this parasite among livestock and the environment in Palestine and Morocco are inadequate. This review will shed light on the underlying risk factors associated with the prevalence of this parasite by drawing on a comparison between the occurrence of toxoplasmosis in two different countries. It also intends on increasing the awareness and knowledge regarding this parasite among the general population. Nonetheless, Congenital toxoplasmosis as well as the seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis among women who have undergone abortion still need to be studied further, particularly in Morocco.

2010 ◽  
Vol 138 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 333-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Snezana Brkic ◽  
Gorana Gajski ◽  
Mirjana Bogavac ◽  
Daniela Maric ◽  
Vesna Turkulov ◽  
...  

Introduction Toxoplasmosis is an acute infectious anthropozoonotic disease with mild asymptomatic clinical manifestations in immunocompetent persons and more severe in immunocompromised patients. Acute infection in pregnancy can result in severe congenital toxoplasmosis with severe sequels. Objective Aims of study were to detect Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in general population of Vojvodina, Serbia, differences between genders and determination of seroprevalence in women of reproductive age and pregnant women. Methods Our retrospective study was conducted from 2006 to 2008 including 625 immunocompetent patients, hospitalized or observed as outpatients at the Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Novi Sad. We performed commercial ELISA kits SERION - ELISA classic test by VIRION for the presence of specific IgG and IgM antibodies. According to seroepidemiological aim of the study, our results were presented only in qualitative values. Results We observed 173 male and 452 female patients. Seroprevalence in general population of Vojvodina was 38.1%. In male population seroprevalence was 45.7%, and in female population it was 35.2%, the difference which was statistically significant (p<0.05). Seroprevalence increased with age and seroconversion was detected to occur in persons aged about 20 years. In all female patients, 353 (78.1%) were in reproductive age with seroprevalence of 30%. In 161 pregnant women seroprevalence was 31.7%. Conclusion In this study we screened actual seroepidemiological situation to Toxoplasma gondii in Vojvodina, thus giving a contribution to the continuous epidemiological screening done in this region and in the country. According to our results, almost 70% of women in reproductive age were sensitive to primary acute infection during further pregnancies, which is highly important for the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis. Although not routinely conducted in many countries, routine serological testing to Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women and their education about preventive measures against this infection could be an effective measure in the future.


Parasitology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 147 (10) ◽  
pp. 1133-1139
Author(s):  
Shahzad Ali ◽  
Zona Amjad ◽  
Tahir Mahmood Khan ◽  
Abdul Maalik ◽  
Anam Iftikhar ◽  
...  

AbstractToxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma (T.) gondii. Limited data are available on the occurrence of T. gondii in women especially pregnant women in Pakistan. The present study aimed to determine the occurrence and risk factors associated with T. gondii in pregnant and non-pregnant women in Punjab Province, Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was conducted and 593 samples were collected from pregnant (n = 293) and non-pregnant (n = 300) women of District Headquarter Hospitals of Chiniot, Faisalabad, Jhang and Okara, Pakistan. Data related to demographic parameters and risk factors were collected using a pretested questionnaire on blood sampling day. Serum samples were screened for antibodies (IgG) against T. gondii using ELISA. A univariant and binomial logistic regression was applied to estimate the association between seropositive and explanatory variables considering the 95% confidence interval. P value ⩽0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analysis. Out of 593, 44 (7.42%) women were seropositive for T. gondii IgG antibodies. Occupation, age, sampling location, socioeconomic status, contact with cat, pregnancy status and trimester of pregnancy were significantly associated with seropositivity for T. gondii antibodies. Location and trimester of pregnancy were identified as potential risk factors for T. gondii seropositivity based on binomial logistic regression. Toxoplasma gondii is prevalent in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Therefore, now a necessitated awareness is required to instruct the individuals about these infectious diseases (toxoplasmosis) and their control strategies to maintain the health of human population. Moreover, health awareness among public can help the minimization of T. gondii infection during pregnancy and subsequent risk of congenital toxoplasmosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. e0008944
Author(s):  
Zewdu Seyoum Tarekegn ◽  
Haileyesus Dejene ◽  
Agerie Addisu ◽  
Shimelis Dagnachew

Background Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular and neurotropic apicomplexan protozoan parasite infecting almost all warm-blooded vertebrates including humans. To date in Ethiopia, no systematic study has been investigated on the overall effects of potential risk factors associated with seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women and HIV infected individuals. We intended to determine the potential risk factors (PRFs) associated with seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii from published data among pregnant women and HIV infected individuals of Ethiopia. Methodology An systematic review of the previous reports was made. We searched PubMed, Science Direct, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar for studies with no restriction on the year of publication. All references were screened independently in duplicate and were included if they presented data on at least two risk factors. Meta-analysis using the random or fixed-effects model was made to calculate the overall effects for each exposure. Results Of the 216 records identified, twenty-four reports met our eligibility criteria, with a total of 6003 individuals (4356 pregnant women and 1647 HIV infected individuals). The pooled prevalences of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were found at 72.5% (95% CI: 58.7% - 83.1%) in pregnant women and 85.7% (95% CI: 76.3% - 91.8%) in HIV infected individuals. A significant overall effect of anti-Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity among pregnant women (p < 0.05) was witnessed with age, abortion history, contact with cats, cat ownership, having knowledge about toxoplasmosis, being a housewife and having unsafe water source. Age, cat ownership, and raw meat consumption were also shown a significant effect (p < 0.05) to anti-Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity among HIV infected individuals. Conclusions This review showed gaps and drawbacks in the earlier studies that are useful to keep in mind to design accurate investigations in the future. The pooled prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies was found to be higher among pregnant women and HIV infected individuals. This suggests that thousands of immunocompromised individuals (pregnant women and HIV infected patients) are at risk of toxoplasmosis due to the sociocultural and living standards of the communities of Ethiopia. Appropriate preventive measures are needed to reduce the exposure to Toxoplasma gondii infection. Further studies to investigate important risk factors are recommended to support the development of more cost-effective preventive strategies.


2011 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 185-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Cristina Ferreira Dias ◽  
Fabiana Maria Ruiz Lopes-Mori ◽  
Regina Mitsuka-Breganó ◽  
Rafael André Ferreira Dias ◽  
Deise Vieira Tokano ◽  
...  

The aim of the present work was to determine the prevalence of IgG and IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and the factors associated to the infection in pregnant women attended in Basic Health Units in Rolândia, Paraná, Brazil. The sample was divided in two groups: group I (320 pregnant women who were analyzed from July 2007 to February 2008) and group II (287 pregnant women who were analyzed from March to October 2008). In group I, it was found 53.1% of pregnant women with IgG reactive and IgM non-reactive, 1.9% with IgG and IgM reactive, 0.3% with IgG non-reactive and IgM reactive and 44.7% with IgG and IgM non-reactive. In group II, it was found 55.1% with IgG reactive and IgM non-reactive and 44.9% with IgG and IgM non-reactive. The variables associated to the presence of IgG antibodies were: residence in rural areas, pregnant women between 35-40 years old, low educational level, low family income, more than one pregnancy, drinking water which does not originate from the public water supply system and the habit of handling soil or sand. Guidance on primary prevention measures and the quarterly serological monitoring of the pregnant women in the risk group are important measures to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 117863372094887
Author(s):  
Senait Mulugeta ◽  
Abaineh Munshea ◽  
Endalkachew Nibret

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes a zoonotic disease called toxoplasmosis. If the infection acquired during pregnancy is not detected and treated early, the parasite can be transmitted transplacentally to the fetus, resulting in congenital toxoplasmosis, which likely leads to serious consequences in the fetus. Toxoplasmosis constitutes a major public health problem particularly in low- and middle-income countries including Ethiopia. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and to assess the potential risk factors of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data on the sociodemographic and potential obstetric and behavioral risk factors were gathered through pretested structured questionnaires, and 3 mL of venous blood was also drawn from each of randomly selected 233 study subjects. The serum samples were separated from the blood samples and tested for anti- Toxoplasma antibody using Toxo-latex slide agglutination test. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between risk factors considered and T gondii infection. Results: The overall prevalence of T gondii infection was 67.8%, indicating a high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the study area. In multivariate analysis, keeping domestic cat at home was found to be the only explanatory variable of toxoplasmosis (adjusted odds ratio = 2.449, 95% confidence interval = 1.183-5.070, P = .016). All sociodemographic variables and most of the potential obstetric and behavioral risk factors were not statistically significant explanatory variables of T gondii infection. Conclusion: The prevalence of toxoplasmosis is high in the study area. Thus, pregnant women should be aware of the potential risk of the disease when keeping cats at home and management of their litter. Inclusion of serologic screening for T gondii infection at antenatal care is warranted for prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-139
Author(s):  
Ahmed J. Ahmed ◽  
Bayar K. Zeebaree ◽  
Ramadhan A. Khanamir

Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy has an adverse effect on pregnant women, fetus and neonatal. The infection is generally asymptomatic but can cause severe effect on the fetus and immunocompromised women. Control study conducted on 77 pregnant women categorized according to the risk factors influencing toxoplasmosis infection. Specific anti Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM were evaluated using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test kits. Among 77 pregnant women, (57.1%) women had toxoplasmosis, seropositive for latent infection with specific Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were (54.54 %), whereas acute infection immunoglobulin M (IgM) were only in (2.59 %) cases. The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma was higher in older pregnant women (> 60%) than younger ones (<50%). The specific IgG antibody was higher in pregnant women working in farms (65.7 vs 45.23; P=0.053). Also, the seropositive IgG antibody was low in the first trimester and high in rural areas. Pregnant women need to educate more about toxoplasmosis and prevention to exposure in order to reduce the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Farouk Kaakour ◽  
Leila Farhat ◽  
Widad Dia ◽  
Seifedine Kadry

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Both animals and humans could develop the infection through several ways including diet, unhygienic habits, direct contact to soil, blood transfusions and organ grafting. Although all people are at risk of the infection, ones with weakened immune systems are at much higher risk, out of these are cancer patients, pregnant women, fetuses and newborns. In our study, we collected data from three gynecologists in two Lebanese regions in order to evaluate the prevalence of the infection and the risk factors associated with it. We found out that the increase in age and pet ownership is directly correlated with the number of infected women and the infection of the women is directly related to the mode of delivery being c-section and having infected offspring.


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