Seroepidemiological Surveys on Toxoplasmosis in Khartoum State, Sudan

Abstract

The study was designed to investigate the seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis in some target groups in Khartoum State. The seroprevalence rates of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women were found to be 16% when using Latex agglutination test (LAT) and 67.9% when using Immunoblotting strips (IgG) test. Analysis of standard questionnaire showed that seropositivity was significantly higher (p<0.001) in the second trimester and in women with history of abortion, as compared with first pregnant women who did not abort, respectively. Women who delivered still birth had significantly higher (p<0.001) seropositivity compared with those who had normal delivery. Toxoplasmosis was significantly higher (p<0.001) among women who used to eat raw liver and stomach as compared with those who eat cooked meat. The infection was found to be significantly higher among women who are exposed (p<0.004) or in contact (p<0.001) with animals. Seropositivity was found to be significantly higher (p<0.002) in rural women as compared with urban women. Higher rate of seropositivity of toxoplasmosis was recorded in illiterate women as compared with educated women (p<0.001). No significant difference (p>0.05) was found in infection with respect to women occupation status or age groups. The highest seropositivity was found in the age group of 20-29 years. Seroprevalence rates of toxoplasmosis in neonates were found to be 20.4% and 63.6% by using LAT and Immunoblotting strips (IgG) test, respectively with no significant differences (p>0.05) between sexes. Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in goats recorded 26% when using LAT and 0.0% when using IgG test. No seroprevalence was detected in rats when using LAT. No significant differences (p>0.05) in seroprevalence in goats with respect to age or abortion. No Toxoplasma gondii oocysts were found in faecal samples of goats and rats by Shearther's technique. It was found that 1:16 IU/µl was an optimal dilution when using LAT and that LAT is a sensitive (89.2%) and specific (70%) sero test