Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Western Romania. Issue 8 (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Olariu, Tudor Rares; Petrescu, Cristina; Darabus, Gheorghe; Lighezan, Rodica; Mazilu, Octavian
• Is Part Of: Infectious diseases. Volume 47:Issue 8(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 580
• Page End: 583
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Toxoplasmosis -- prevalence -- Romania -- population; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.3109/23744235.2015.1028098
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2374-4235

Abstract

Abstract: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that most commonly causes asymptomatic infection in immunocompetent hosts, but can have devastating consequences in congenitally infected infants and immunocompromised patients. We evaluated the seroprevalence of T. gondii in the general population in Western Romania. Sera from 304 individuals were analysed with the Pastorex Toxo test, which allows the simultaneous detection of T. gondii IgG and/or IgM antibodies. T. gondii antibodies were demonstrated in 197 individuals (64.8%) and the prevalence increased with age: 35.0% in those < 20 years versus 76.8% in those ≥ 70 years ( p < 0.001). There was a higher prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in rural areas (76.9%) than in urban regions (55.3%) ( p < 0.001). Our results suggest a high prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in Western Romania.