Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in the Rural Population of Qaemshahr, Northern Iran in 2019

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan. It infects approximately one-third of the world’s population. This study was conducted to determine the anti-T. gondii antibodies (IgG and IgM) in the rural population of Qaemshahr, northern Iran, in 2019.

Serum samples of 350 individuals referred to the laboratories of the rural health centers in Qaemshahr, northern Iran, were collected from February to April 2019 and were assessed for anti-T. gondii antibodies (IgG and IgM) using the ELISA kits (Pishtazteb, Iran). The results were analyzed using the chi-square test.

Totally, 296 (84.57%, 95% CI: 80.07%-88.2%) out of 350 serum samples were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibody. There was a significant correlation between seropositivity of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody and age (P=0.000), contact with soil (P=0.000), and job. None of the samples were positive for anti-T. gondii IgM antibody. No significant association was observed between the seroprevalence of T. gondii and the gender, contact with the cat and other animals, and ingestion of undercooked meat, non-chlorinated water, undercooked egg, raw milk and vegetables.

Results of the study showed that the prevalence of toxoplasmosis was much higher among the rural individuals in Qaemshahr, northern Iran, than those previously reported from other areas of Iran. Therefore, efforts should be focused on public health education to reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis transmission especially in the high-risk groups in this region.