Molecular and serological pattern of Toxoplasma gondii among rural population in four regions of Gabon

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligatory intracellular parasite that causes a zoonotic disease capable of infecting nearly all warm-blooded hosts, including humans. However, reports on the molecular prevalence of T. gondii in humans are rare in Gabon. The present study aimed to evaluate the serological and molecular prevalence of T. gondii among apparently healthy rural populations in four regions of Gabon. This study included six hundred blood samples from the Interdisciplinary Center for Medical Research (CIRMF) bank, including 300 women and 300 men living in 111 villages. Blood samples were screened using enzyme-linked fluorescent assay (ELFA), while buffy coat samples were analyzed using PCR analyses. Of the 600 samples screened, 548 (91.3%) showed IgG antibodies against T. gondii; 11 (2%) had both IgG and IgM. Among the 548 positive samples, 155 (28%) had higher IgG titers (>300 UI/ml), and 49 of them (31.6%) were detected with T. gondii DNA. The present findings on human toxoplasmosis in Gabon suggest that at an older age, reactivation of old infections seems more frequent than new infections, as indicated by the presence of T. gondii using PCR among elevated IgG subjects without IgM. Further studies should be performed to identify the genotypes of T. gondii that infect humans in Gabon.

Frequency of Toxoplasmosis among Zagazig University Students in 2017

Toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is a major health problem in which about 30% of people are born with anti Toxoplasma antibodies worldwide. Toxoplasmosis causes congenital infection, neurological and psychatric disorders. The present study aimed to determine prevalence and factors associated with T. gondii infection in Zagazig university students in 2017-2018.

Toxoplasmose au laboratoire de parasitologie-mycologie du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Brazzaville : aspects séro-épidémiologiques

Introduction : La toxoplasmose est une protozoose cosmopolite due à une coccidie intracellulaire obligatoire, Toxoplasma gondii. Elle touche les hommes et les femmes mais elle est redoutée chez les femmes enceintes. Les techniques de diagnostic de routine reposent actuellement surtout sur les techniques ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay) pour la détection des immunoglobulines G et M. A Brazzaville, la prévalence de la toxoplasmose est mal connue. Ainsi, cette étude a pour objectif de déterminer les aspects séro-épidémiologiques de la toxoplasmose au laboratoire de Parasitologie- Mycologie du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Brazzaville.Résultats : Il s'est agi d'une étude transversale allant de septembre 2015 à mars 2016. Elle a concerné les patients reçus au laboratoire pour une sérologie toxoplasmique. La prévalence de la toxoplasmose a été de 46,8%. L'âge des patients variait de 3,6 mois à 49 ans, avec une moyenne de 27,8 ans. Le sex ratio était de 0,03 en faveur des femmes. La sérologie toxoplasmique était plus demandée dans le cas d'un bilan prénatal (92,3%). Elle était surtout prescrite par les gynécologues obstétriciens (49,4%) et les sages-femmes (46,2%). Les patients présentaient trois profils immunologiques : aucune immunoglobuline (51,9% des cas), uniquement des Ig G (45,5%) et Ig M associées aux Ig G (2,6%). La présence d'Ig M a été retrouvée dans les tranches d'âge de [20-29 ans] et [30-39 ans] sans différence significative (p = 0,104). La prévalence de la toxoplasmose dans notre étude est élevée.Conclusion : Il s'impose de mener des études chez les femmes enceintes dans notre contexte, de rechercher les facteurs de risque et d'évaluer les connaissances, les aptitudes et les pratiques chez les prescripteurs de la sérologie toxoplasmique

Seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii among HIV patients in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Background: Toxoplasmosis among the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive individuals with low CD4+cell count can be severe leading to the reactivation of dormant bradyzoites which can lead to morbidity and/or mortality. A reservoir for T. gondii, cat is common around our study area both as pets and stray animals.Study Objective: Is to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in this community and also to investigate the association between T. gondii infection and CD4 count other risk factors.Methods: Blood specimens were collected from a total of 282 adult HIV positive patients attending a tertiary health facility clinic by systematic sampling and the IgG and IgM levels were detected using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Similarly blood was also collected from 60 healthy blood donors as control group.Results: Out of a total of 282 samples analyzed, 189 were positive for IgG (67%) and 93 were negative. All 282 samples were negative for IgM antibody. A total of 280 had their CD4+cell count above 200cells/microlitre of blood and only 2 recorded less than 200. Nineteen (31.7%) of the 60 blood donors in the control group were positive for IgG and all negative for IgM. The high seroprevalence rate of IgG toxoplasma antibody among HIV positive patients as reported in this study suggests that there should be a high index of suspicion of the recrudescence of toxoplasmosis among HIV and AIDS patients in our environment and possibly elsewhere

Pattern of Demographic Risk Factors in the Seroprevalence of Anti-Toxoplasma Gondii Antibodies in HIV Infected Patients at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital

BACKGROUND:The Apicomplexan protozoan; Toxoplasma gondii; is a human parasite; with an ubiquitous distribution. Prevalence of the infection varies widely; depending on cultural; geographic and climatic factors. More often asymptomatic; T. gondii infection may be a severe and life-threatening disease. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibody (TIgG) among HIV infected persons at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital PEPFAR site; and the demographic characteristics of the study group. METHODS: 460 plasma specimens were tested for TIgG antibodies by enzyme immuno assay technique and close ended questionnaires were applied on all respondents to obtain relevant data on demographics. Plasma was obtained from two study groups comprising of 380 HIV positive patients and 80 HIV negative adults who served as the control group. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence was 30in the immunocompetent control group (37.5of the males tested and 16.7among the females). The over all seroprevalence of TIgG antibody among the HIV positive respondents was 54(206 Of 380). The study therefore showed statistically significant difference between the seroprevalence of TIgG antibody among the immunocompetent control group and HIV positive study group (p = 0.00356). Seroprevalence of TIgG antibody was lowest among the educated subjects (19of subjects with tertiary education). T. gondii antibody seroprevalence for males; married respondents and rural dwellers were 70.4; 72.3and 69respectively; and were all statistically significant at p 0.000. Moreso; a significant association was observed between the seroprevalence of anti toxoplasma gondii IgG antibody and the consumption of beef among the study groups.(P 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Socio-cultural and nutritional habits;contribute significantly to the prevalence of Toxoplasmosis and thus any effective control must be centred around these issues

Survey of patients attending the eye clinic during the month of March; 1992

An audit survey was carried out during the month of March 1992 of patients attending the eye clinic. The number of patients; age and sex distribution; diagnosis; treatment modality and disposal were recorded. A total of 1166 patients were seen. The commonest diagnosis seen by the Ophthalmologist was non specific; and the commonest by the optometrist was presbyopia. Diseases required treatment included cataract; glaucoma and pterygium. Conditions that require screening included glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Prevention could be instituted in reducing other common conditions such trauma; pterygium and toxoplasma chorioretinitis