Korean J Parasitol.  2009 Mar;47(1):61-63. 10.3347/kjp.2009.47.1.61.

A Serological Study on Toxoplasma gondii Infection Among People in South of Tehran, Iran

• Salahi-Moghaddam A
• Hafizi A

• KMID: 1720611
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2009.47.1.61

Abstract

Although Toxoplasma gondii infection generally shows subclinical courses in adults, it may have severe pathologic effects on the fetus. For a survey of toxoplasmosis in Shahr-e-Rey area, south of Tehran, Iran, we conducted a serological study on 1,187 general populations using indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test. In this cross sectional study, cases were selected randomly by a local primary health care (PHC) system. Blood samples were collected in microcapillary tubes and sera were examined by IFA after centrifugation. It has been shown that 68.3% of cases in all age groups had IFA titer of 1 : 10 and higher, which we consider as positive cases, and the rate for 1 : 400 or over was 30.2%. There was meaningful correlation between anti-Toxoplasma antibody titers and age, sex, and occupation of subjected people (P < 0.05%). The incidence was higher in females and highest in the children age group (10-14 years old). The present study demonstrates high prevalence of Toxoplasma infection among the people in south of Tehran, Iran.

Keyword

Toxoplasma gondii; toxoplasmosis; seroepidemiology; shahr-e-Rey; tehran; Iran

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Age Distribution
Antibodies, Protozoan/*blood
Child
Child, Preschool
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Infant
Iran/epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Occupations
Serologic Tests
Sex Factors
Toxoplasmosis/epidemiology/*immunology
Young Adult