Seroprevalence, risk factors and impact of Toxoplasma gondii infection on haematological parameters in the Ashanti region of Ghana: a cross-sectional study
Open Access
- 26 November 2019
- journal article
- Published by F1000 Research Ltd in AAS Open Research
- Vol. 2, 166
- https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13022.1
Abstract
Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate, intracellular, apicomplexan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. Although the global prevalence of toxoplasmosis has been estimated to be approximately 30%, there is limited seroprevalence data in Ghana, with a dearth of information on the impact of T. gondii on haematological parameters in exposed persons. Methods: Questionnaires were administered to 300 consenting individuals to obtain demographic information and assessment of their risk of exposure to T. gondii. Using anti-T. gondii IgG/IgM combo test kits, seropositivity to parasite-specific IgG and/or IgM was determined. A haematological analyser was used to measure haematological parameters. Results: The participants included 58 males and 242 females, and ranged in age from 6 months to 84 years, with a median age of 27 years. There was an overall seroprevalence of 50.3% (n=151), with 49.7% (n=149) of the study participants seropositive for IgG and 1% (n=3) testing positive for IgM. Furthermore, the observed seroprevalence among pregnant women was 56.4% (n=62). With regards to the different communities in which the hospitals were located, a seroprevalence of 55.6% was observed in the rural community, 50.6% in the peri-urban community and 47.1% in the urban community. The study identified cat ownership, contact with cat litter [RR (95% CI: 1.76 (1.23-2.53), 1.66 (1.03-2.67), 1.25(1.00-1.57)] and age (p Conclusions: About half of the study population, including a significant number of women of reproductive age carried antibodies against T. gondii, raising questions about the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis, as well as possible links to anaemia. We, therefore, recommend that screening for Toxoplasma gondii be included in the routine screening of pregnant women seeking antenatal care.Keywords
Funding Information
- Africa Research Excellence Fund (MRF-157-0007-F-BADU)
- KNUST College of Science
This publication has 23 references indexed in Scilit:
- Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondiiand associated risk factors among pregnant women in Jimma town, Southwestern EthiopiaBMC Infectious Diseases, 2012
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of Toxoplasma gondii infection among the Mexican populationParasites & Vectors, 2012
- Tissue Barriers of the Human Placenta to Infection with Toxoplasma gondiiInfection and Immunity, 2012
- IgG Placental Transfer in Healthy and Pathological PregnanciesJournal of Immunology Research, 2011
- Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans and animals in the United StatesInternational Journal for Parasitology, 2008
- Exit from Host Cells by the Pathogenic Parasite Toxoplasma gondii Does Not Require MotilityEukaryotic Cell, 2008
- Effects of Toxoplasma on Human BehaviorSchizophrenia Bulletin, 2007
- Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in Mexican blood donorsTransfusion, 2005
- ToxoplasmosisThe Lancet, 2004
- Laboratory Diagnosis ofToxoplasma gondiiInfection and ToxoplasmosisThe Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2002