Serological and microscopical detection of Toxoplasma gondii in Kirkuk

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate, intracellular, parasitic protozoa that causes toxoplasmosis. Found worldwide, T. gondii is capable of infecting virtually all warmblooded animals [1]. In this study, the incidence of Toxoplsma in human and stray cats were studied. One hundred and two serum samples from married and non married women were examined by ELISA and LATEX tests in Kirkuk city from July to December 2012. The results showed that the ELISA test is significantly (P > 0.05) more sensitive than LATEX, with the rate of 36.53 % positive samples for ELISA compared with 21.15% by LATEX test. The most age group which was infected by Toxoplasma in married women was 34-37 years followed by 30-33years, while the most age group which was infected with the parasite in none married women was 13-16 years. The positive blood groups women appears to be significantly (P > 0.05) more at risk for getting toxoplasmosis especially A+(66.6%) and AB+(60%) blood groups. Toxoplasmosis was significantly (P > 0.05) more prevalent among married pregnant women (34.2) comparing with married non pregnant women, and the rate of aborted women among them were 25%. High rate of them had two (57.1%) to three (40%) times abortion. Among 30 Toxoplasma positive samples, 10 (33.3% ), 8 (42.1%) of them had cats at residence when examined by ELISA and LATEX respectively. The significantly (P > 0.05) antibody positive samples were for IgG with rate of 85.5 and 81.8 % in ELISA test for married and none married women respectively, comparing with those samples having IgM and those having both IgG and IgM. Most of the sample examined by LATEX had low titration (1/10, 1/40) in both married and non married women. Fifty stray cat fecal samples were examined microscopically by compound light and fluorescent microscope to detect the oocyst stage, 6 samples were positive with rate of 12%.