Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in Mali

Risk factors associated with seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii in population-based studies among immunocompromised patients (pregnant women, HIV patients and children) in West African countries, Cameroon and Gabon: a meta-analysis

Toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised individuals can be life threatening. The information needed for proper control and management strategies in endemic West African countries is lacking, hence a systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women, HIV/AIDs and children in West Africa, Cameroon and Gabon. The epidemiology of the disease published between 1984 and 2019 using PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE, AJOL and Google Scholar databases were identified. Studies that met the inclusion criteria of Toxoplasma gondii infections under the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist were analysed. A total of 58 eligible studies were selected for meta-analysis. These studies considered 18,674 hosts and an overall pooled seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies were 45.4, 39.0 and 29.5% for pregnant women, HIV/AIDS patients and children, respectively. Pooled seroprevalence was highest in Gabon and lowest in Mali for pregnant women while highest levels of seropositivity for anti-T. gondii antibodies for HIV/AIDS individuals and children were both observed in Ghana. The major risk factors associated with anti-T. gondii seropositivity were gravida status, contact with cats, consumption of raw vegetables and /fruits, age and CD4 counts. More studies are needed to determine seroconversion rate. Improved sensitization among immunocompromised patients on T. gondii and its risk factors will be an efficient method to reducing the prevalence of the disease. One Health interventions involving transdisciplinary, integrative research and capacity building are necessary to address the problem of toxoplasmosis in West Africa.

Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women of the Marrakech-Safi region, Morocco

BACKGROUND

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by an intracellular protozoan named Toxoplasma gondii. Its prevalence had been investigated in several studies throughout the world showing that it varied from one country to another. In contrast, few studies had been carried out on this infection across the kingdom of Morocco, hence the objective of this work, which is the determination of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in the region of Marrakech-Safi.

METHODS

The serological results of a cohort of 5692 patients were reviewed retrospectively. Those patients had been into different public and private medical laboratories in the region of Marrakech-Safi for a toxoplasmosis serology, requested between the 1st January, 2014 and 31st December, 2016. According to each laboratory, the techniques adopted for this serology were ELISA (ELFA, MEIA, EIA) and CMIA.

RESULTS

The results showed that for pregnant women, the overall seroprevalence in the study region were 28.88%.

CONCLUSION

The variation of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence is related not only to climatic factors but also to lifestyle, eating habits, socio-economic status and hygiene conditions. In this study, we noticed that in Morocco, as in other countries, pregnant women encounter several difficulties when serologic screening for toxoplasmosis.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women in Adwa district, northern Ethiopia

Background

Toxoplasma gondii infection is a great health concern to pregnant women and the developing fetus. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii and its associated factors in Adwa district.

Methods

A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2018 in Adwa district. Structured, a pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect the demographic and risk factor related data. Serum sample, collected from each of the study subjects was tested for IgG and IgM anti T.godii specific antibodies using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. A bivariable and multivariable logistic regression model was applied to show association between the dependent and independent variables considering P < 0.05 and the 95% confidence interval.

Result

Out of the 360, 128 (35.6%) pregnant women were found to be positive for antibodies specific to T. gondii. Furthermore, 117 (32.5%) women were positive only for IgG, and 11 (3.1%) were positive both for IgM and IgG antibodies. Age, educational level, habit of hand washing after contact with garden soil or domestic animals, presence of domestic cat, history of contact with domestic dog and consumption of raw vegetables were significantly associated with T. gondii.

Conclusion

The seroprevalence of T. gondii among pregnant women in the study area is low compared to the other regions of Ethiopia, and within the range of the seroprevalences in the central and East Africa region. However, efforts should be done to create awareness on the potential risk factors of the parasite in the community.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans in East Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2013 to September 2013 to determine the seroprevalence and possible risk factors for human Toxplasma gondii infection in East Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia. Serum samples were analysed using direct agglutination test, and immunosorbent agglutination assay for detecting IgG (n = 354) and IgM (n = 167) T. gondii antibodies. The T. gondii IgG and IgM seroprevalences were 65·8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 60·62–70·75] and 8·98% (95% CI 5·11–14·38), respectively. Gender difference in IgG seroprevalence was not significant (P > 0·05), but 69·5% of adults exhibited an IgG seroresponse to T. gondii. Pregnant women showed 76·4% and 9·3% seropositivity to IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified the risk factors significantly associated with T. gondii seropositivity were district [odds ratio (OR) 2·24, 95% CI 1·25–4·01, P = 0·007], pipe water source (OR 6·70, 95% CI 2·70–16·64, P < 0·001), age, with adults (OR 4·32, 95% CI 1·91–9·75, P < 0·001), and keeping cats in the home (OR 2·01, 95% CI 1·11–3·65, P = 0·021). The high seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in the human population in the study area and the corresponding level of IgM seropositivity may be indicative of reactivation or recent infection and further studies on the status of congenital toxoplasmosis in the study area merit consideration.

Sero-epidemiology and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women in Arab and African countries

The epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy is a major issue for public health. Primary infection in pregnant women can lead to serious sequelae. This review examined current sero-epidemiology and risks factor data for Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women in Arab and African countries. A systematic electronic search of published literature was conducted. Data were extracted from relevant studies. Seropositivity is high in both regions. African countries have higher seropositivity than Arab countries due to differences in risk factors. Data on T. gondii infection in pregnancy are scant in many countries, especially where there is lack of political stability. Identified risk factors included eating raw meat, proximity with cats, undercooked food, and increasing maternal age. Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy in Arab and African countries is an underestimated health problem. Further research is needed. This report is a foundation for strategies and policies for intervention needed to combat the consequences of congenital toxoplasmosis.

Overview of the effect and epidemiology of parasitic central nervous system infections in African children

Infections of the central nervous system are a significant cause of neurologic dysfunction in resource-limited countries, especially in Africa. The prevalence is not known and is most likely underestimated because of the lack of access to accurate diagnostic screens. For children, the legacy of subsequent neurodisability, which affects those who survive, is a major cause of the burden of disease in Africa. Of the parasitic infections with unique effect in Africa, cerebral malaria, neurocysticercosis, human African trypanosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, and schistosomiasis are largely preventable conditions, which are rarely seen in resource-equipped settings. This article reviews the current understandings of these parasitic and other rarer infections, highlighting the specific challenges in relation to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and the complications of coinfection.