Seroepidemiological Study of Toxoplasmosis among High-School Girls in Gonabad

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis with a high prevalence throughout the world. T. gondii infection is frequently asymptomatic. In high risk population serological screening isrecommended for identification of non-Immune women. Due to considerable prevalence of toxoplasmosis during childbearing age, identification of non-immune girls is necessary. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of anti toxoplasmosis IgG and IgM in high-school girls and to detect agents that increase prevalence of the disease. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, afterobtaining consent and completion of the questionnaire (Epidemiologic Profile), 240 blood samples were collected from high-school girls through cluster sampling method in spring 2009. A questionnaire was used for data collection for epidemiological factors. IgG and IgM specific antibodies to toxoplasmosis gondii were detected using enzyme-linked Immuno sorbent assay (ELISA). Chi-square test was used for determining the relationship between some variables associated with the serological results for anti-T. gondii antibodies. 35 Out of 240 high-school girls, (%14.6) were positive for T. gondiiIgG. None of the sample showed anti-toxoplasma IgM antibodies. The statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between consumption of undercooked meat (p=0.01) and raw vegetables (p=0.03) with increasing seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis. There was no significant relationship between seropositive cases and other factors. The results of this study showed that in order to reduce infection consuming well-cooked meat and vegetable is necessary.