Sero-epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii among men and pregnant women in Maysan Province, south of Iraq

Toxoplasma gondii is worldwide and obligate intracellular protozoan parasite. The seroprevalence information of toxoplasmosis in the southern area of Iraq is limited, therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of T. gondii in men and pregnant women in Al-Majar Al-Kabir and Ali Al-Sharqi towns that are both located at Maysan Province in the South of Iraq. The study was conducted between January and May 2018 and included randomly chosen pregnant women, data on sociodemographic and predisposing parameters was collected from each participant. Venous blood samples were collected. Based on the results, the overall seroprevalence of T. gondii in the study areas was 20%. It showed that the 20-29 years’ age group has the highest infection rate (31.25%). The distribution rate of T. gondii was higher among women than men and the prevalence of toxoplasmosis has no relationship with the handling of raw meat or the presence of cats in houses. The current study reveals a significant relationship between the T. gondii infection and abortion rates. A health education platform for awareness in the Maysan Province needs to be maintained and developed to target pregnant women.