Seroprevalence and Risk factors of toxoplasma gondii among blood donors in Menoufia Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is one of the parasitic protozoa with worldwide distribution that affectswarm-blooded lives. Toxoplasmosis transmission does not occur from one-to-another, with the exception fortransplacentalroute, blood transfusion and organ transplantation.Objectives: To measure the occurrence rate of Toxoplasma gondii infection among healthy blood donors and highlight the associated risk factors among this important group.Methods: Cross-sectionalresearchwas conducted in Menoufia University hospital blood transfusion center. Six hundred and thirty blood donors were recruited in this study.Theyfilleda self-administered questionnaireincluding personal data and suspected risk factors as well as routine investigation for blood donors and sero-logical tests for Toxoplasma gondii (IgGandIgM) were performed.Results: IgGsero-prevalence was 11.1%, IgM was 5.9%, both IgGandIgM positivity was 0.3% with total toxoplasmosis sero-prevalence 17%, Poor knowledge about toxoplasmosis transmission, dealing with cat, agricultural environment, eating ready to eat or undercooked meat, improper hand washing practices and AIDS infection were significantly associated withtoxoplasmosis infection. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that gender (AOR, 26.21; 95% CI: 7.77-88.45),poor knowledge (AOR, 15.39; 95% CI: 6.55-36.16), eating ready to eat meat(AOR, 50; 95% CI: 30-215), agricultural environment (AOR, 6.33; 95% CI: 3.07 – 13.05)and decreased frequency of hand washing(AOR, 30.66; 95% CI: 8.73-107.64)were independent risks for toxoplasmosis.Conclusion:Toxoplasma gondiipositivity is prevalentamong healthy blood donors. This finding underscores theimportance of screening of toxoplasmosis among them and favours health education to improve the public knowledge about toxoplasmosis for proper prevention of infection.