SEROPREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII INFECTION AMONG HEALTHY BLOOD DONORS IN ALRIBAT TEACHING HOSPITAL KHARTOUM STATE, SUDAN
Safaa E. Bashir*, Mohammed B. Eldin Ahmed, Khalid A. Abdelhalim and Moustafa B. Ahamed
ABSTRACT
Toxoplasmosis is an opportunistic, zoonotic disease with a worldwide
distribution. There are large variations in the seroprevalence of T.
gondii infection in different regions of the world. Toxoplasmosis is a
common parasitic disease can be transmitted to human through variety
of routes including blood and there is risk of exposure to this parasite
in blood donors during the periods of life. Nowadays, there is no
laboratory screening of blood donors for T.gondii is not routinely
available. This cross sectional study aimed to evaluate the
seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma infection
among healthy blood donors. Between March to August 2016 at
Alribat teaching hospital in Khartoum state, a serum samples were
taken from 100 blood donors with age range between 10-50 years old. The sera were
examined for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies (IgG & IgM) by the ELISA test. The overall rate of
anti-Toxoplasma antibodies determined by ELISA was (32%) (IgG) and (3%) (IgM). The
results showed that the highest prevalence rate was reported among the 31-40 age group
(47.8%) when examined by ELISA test. Drinking milk and meat consuming were found to be
of no significance in the transmission cycle. Contacts with cats have been shown to be of
great importance in the transmission cycle. The present study indicates that prevalence of
toxoplasmosis is high in the study area.
Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, Toxoplasmosis, ELISA, Antibodies, blood donors, transfusions.
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