Evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii Seropositivity and the Results of IgG Avidity Test of Patients with Suspected Toxoplasmosis
Abstract
Introduction:
Toxoplasma
gondii is an obligate
intracellular protozoan belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa. T. gondii has
two parts in lifecycle. While the sexual part of the lifecycle occurs in
domestic and wild cats, asexual part occurs in any mammal.
Eating undercooked meat containing tissue cysts or
drinking water contaminated with oocytes from feline feces cause toxoplasmosis
infection. Clinically, infections can go unnoticed or could cause signs and
symptoms vary depending on the immune status of the patient and the clinical
setting like ocular disease or congenital toxoplasmosis.
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalance of Toxoplasma gondii IgG and
IgM in patients with suspected
toxoplasmosis.
Materials
and Methods: In this
study, seropositivity of antibodies against T.gondii
in patients with suspected toxoplasmosis was retrospectively evaluated in Medical Microbiology Laboratory of Selcuk
University Medical Faculty between January 2013 and December 2016. Anti-T.
gondii immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and IgG
avidity tests were studied in 7051 serum samples by using the VIDAS
(BioMérieux, France) kits and the Enzyme Linked Fluorescence Assay technique.
Results:
In all 7051
patients, seropositivity rates of anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG antibodies
were 2.44 and 29.53 %, respectively. High avidity rate was 78.36 % in 171
patients. Seropositivity rates of toxoplasma IgM antibodies in female and male
patients were 2.80 and 1.14%, while IgG seropositivity rates were 34.17 and
22.91 %, respectively.
Conclusions:
The
importance of searching the seropositivity of toxoplasmosis, which is still
considered as an important health problem in especially reproductive women,
must be emphasized. In addition, measures should be taken to raise awareness of
hygiene in our region in terms of water, foods and sanitation.
Keywords
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Health Care Administration |
| Journal Section | Basic Science Research Articles |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | September 30, 2018 |
| Acceptance Date | September 15, 2018 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2018 |