Seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis among people having close contact with animals

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma infection and its risk association among people having close contact with animals. A total of 312 blood samples were collected from veterinary personnel (veterinarian, technicians and students) and pet owners from veterinary clinics and hospitals in the area of Klang Valley, Malaysia. About 4cc of blood samples drawn from agreed participants were processed for measurement of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies as well as avidity test of Toxoplasma IgG by ELISA I, II and III kits. Meanwhile, the demographic profiles and possible risk factors of these participants were also recorded in the standardized data collection sheets. Overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was observed in 62 (19.9%) participants being 7 (18.4%) in veterinarians, 15 (33.3%) in veterinary technicians, 29 (14.9%) in veterinary students and 11 (31.4%) in pet owners. Of 19.9% Toxoplasma seropositive samples, 18.3% was positive for IgG antibody, 1.0% for IgM antibody and 0.6% for both IgG and IgM antibodies. Of 3 different IgG avidity ELISA kits, ELISA III showed high avidity in all 5 seropositive samples (IgM and IgG/IgM antibodies) indicating chronic Toxoplasma infection in consistent with no evidence of clinical toxoplasmosis diagnosed during the time of this study. Univariate analysis showed age group, gender, study population, gardening, task performance and working duration were significantly associated with Toxoplasma seropositivity. Further analysis by multivariate analysis using logistic regression showed that age group of ≥30 years old (OR=0.34, 95% CI=0.18-0.63, p=0.001) and working or study duration of >10 years having close contact with animals (OR=5.07, 95% CI=1.80-14.24, p=0.002) were identified as significant risks for Toxoplasma infection. Based on the results ontained, a comprehensive Toxoplasma screening and health surveillance program on toxoplasmosis should be implemented among people having close contact with animals in general and confirmed Toxoplasma seronegative individuals in particular to prevent seroconversion.