Seroepidemiological study of toxoplasma gondii infection in the human population in the Eastern Region

OBJECTIVE: Toxoplasma gondii is an an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. The infection is worldwide, particularly in warm and moist climates. Few studies have been conducted on the prevalence of subclinical or overt disease in Saudi Arabia. No population-based study was conducted or the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in humans in Saudi Arabia and this initiated the present study. The present study aimed at studying seroprevalence of Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies in sera from 5 areas in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: A population based epidemiological approach, prevalence according to lifestyle (urban or rural), gender (male or female) occupation and age.

RESULTS: Inactive toxoplasmosis (IgG levels) is of rather high prevalence in the human population in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia (25%). On the other hand, active toxoplasmosis (acquired during pregnancy) is of rather low prevalence in this study (5%). Active toxoplasmosis (IgM levels) is positively related to the level of exposure, high in farmers and employees in village rural areas and low in children and students in urban areas.

CONCLUSION: Patients with active toxoplasmosis are to be treated and made aware of their situation. Hygienic conditions in areas of rather high prevalence of active toxoplasmosis are to be more strictly imposed to minimize transmission of the disease.