ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is the agent of a zoonotic protozoan infection with worldwide distribution. The rates of infection in different areas are depending on climatic conditions and also social and cultural habits of the people. This cross-sectional study aimed to find out the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in nomadic people in Boyer-Ahmad County, in the southwest of Iran. METHODS: Blood samples (5 mL) were collected from 1005 individuals of nomadic tribes of Boyer-Ahmad County in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province in 2016. A predesigned questionnaire, containing basic epidemiological information was filled out for each subject during the sampling. Sera were evaluated for anti-T. gondii antibodies (both IgG and IgM), using a commercial ELISA kit. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS, using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. RESULTS: Out of the 1005 studied subjects, 227 (22.6%) were male and 778 (77.4%) were female. The mean age of participants was 41 years (SD: ±17). The most represented (24.4%) age class was 21-30 years and the least (1.9%) 1-10 years. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected in 174 (17.3%) of the cases. No statistically significant associations were found between seropositivity to T. gondii and area of residence, age, gender and educational levels of the participants. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study show that the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among the nomads of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province is alike to other communities in our country. Further study is required to elucidate the genotype of T. gondii in this community.
Subject(s)
Toxoplasmosis/epidemiology , Transients and Migrants/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Antibodies, Protozoan/blood , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Immunoglobulin M/blood , Infant , Iran/epidemiology , Iran/ethnology , Male , Middle Aged , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Toxoplasma/immunology , Toxoplasmosis/blood , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Mediterranean type of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is present in different parts of Iran. Several studies have identified dogs as the main reservoirs of the VL caused by Leishmania infantum in Iran and other Mediterranean regions. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis as animal reservoir host for human visceral leishmaniasis in Boyer Ahmad district in southwest of Iran. METHODS: A seroepidemiological study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) among ownership dogs by using direct agglutination test (DAT) in 23 of 182 villages of Boyer Ahmad district, during August 2009 to August 2010. One hundred and seventy serum samples from ownership dogs were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling in villages of Boyer Ahmad district. All samples were tested by DAT and anti-Leishmania antibodies titers at ≥ 1:320 was considered as positive. RESULTS: Of the 170 serum samples, 10% were positive by DAT at titers of 1:320 and higher. No statistical significant difference was found between male (10.7%) and female (8.3%) seroprevalence. The highest seroprevalence rate (15.1%) was observed among the ownership dogs of four to seven years age. Altogether, seventeen (25.4%) of the seropositive dogs had clinical signs and symptoms. CONCLUSION: It seems that Boyer Ahmad district is an endemic area for canine visceral leishmaniasis in Iran.
ABSTRACT
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic in parts of Islamic Republic of Iran. A cross-sectional seroprevalence study was carried out in children in Booyerahmad district in the south-west of the country. Serum samples were taken from 1628 children up to 10 years old from different areas in Booyerahmad in 2005-06. AntiLeishmania antibody was detected in 50 out of 1628 children (3.1%) by direct agglutination test (antibody titre > or = 1:3200). There was no significant difference in seropositivity between the sexes (2.8% males and 3.3% females). The highest rate of infection (5.2%) was in the age group 10 years. Further studies are needed to explore the reservoirs and vectors of the disease in this region.
Subject(s)
Child Welfare/statistics & numerical data , Endemic Diseases/statistics & numerical data , Leishmaniasis, Visceral/epidemiology , Age Distribution , Animals , Chi-Square Distribution , Child , Child, Preschool , Cluster Analysis , Cross-Sectional Studies , Disease Reservoirs , Disease Vectors , Dogs , Female , Humans , Iran/epidemiology , Leishmaniasis, Visceral/blood , Leishmaniasis, Visceral/etiology , Leishmaniasis, Visceral/veterinary , Male , Population Surveillance , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Sex DistributionABSTRACT
Visceral leishmaniasis [VL] is endemic in parts of Islamic Republic of Iran. A cross-sectional seroprevalence study was carried out in children in Booyerahmad district in the south-west of the country. Serum samples were taken from 1628 children up to 10 years old from different areas in Booyerahmad in 2005-06. Anti-Leishmania antibody was detected in 50 out of 1628 children [3.1%] by direct agglutination test [antibody titre > 1:3200]. There was no significant difference in seropositivity between the sexes [2.8% males and 3.3% females]. The highest rate of infection [5.2%] was in the age group 10 years. Further studies are needed to explore the reservoirs and vectors of the disease in this region
