<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>in Blood Donors: A Study in Boyer-Ahmad County, Southwest Iran

Abstract

<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is an important foodborne protozoan that can be transmitted through infected blood containing tachyzoite form of the parasite. The current study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of <i>T. gondii</i> infection and related risk factors among healthy blood donors in Boyer-Ahmad County, southwest Iran. Blood samples were taken from 285 healthy blood donors who voluntarily agreed to participate in this study. Sera and buffy coat were isolated from the blood samples for serological and molecular evaluations. The sera were tested for anti-<i>T. gondii</i> antibodies (both IgG and IgM), using a commercial ELISA kit. The buffy coat of seropositive cases was evaluated for detection of <i>T. gondii</i> DNA by PCR. Moreover, a structured questionnaire, containing socioepidemiological data and possible risk factors, was filled out by each participant during sample collection. Anti-<i>T. gondii</i> antibodies were detected in sera of 48/285 (16.8%) participants. Only two of the subjects (0.7%) were seropositive for both IgG and IgM antibodies. <i>T. gondii</i> DNA was not detected in buffy coat of any of the seropositive cases. Risk factors such as contact with soil (OR, 9.7; 95% CI, 4.9-19.4) and consumption of semicooked meat (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.2-5.03) were statistically associated with seropositivity to <i>T. gondii</i>. The seroprevalence rate of <i>T. gondii</i> antibodies in the blood donors of Boyer-Ahmad County was not high in comparison with other regions in Iran. In this study, consumption of undercooked meats, job, and contact with soil were independent risk factors associated with <i>T. gondii</i> infection, which can be considered as potential sources of <i>T</i>. <i>gondii</i> infection.