Abstract

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.