Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis at referral hospitals in the northwestern region, Saudi Arabia

Talal Alharazi; Jerold C Alcantara; Lea L Dando; Petelyne Pangket

doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_490_23

Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis at referral hospitals in the northwestern region, Saudi Arabia

J Educ Health Promot. 2023 Nov 27:12:391. doi: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_490_23. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Talal Alharazi^{1

2}, Jerold C Alcantara^{1

3}, Lea L Dando⁴, Petelyne Pangket⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Science, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia.
² Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Taiz University, Taiz, Yemen.
³ College of Medical Laboratory Science, Lorma Colleges, San Fernando City, La Union, Philippines.
⁴ Department of Medical-Surgical, College of Nursing, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasmosis is induced by Toxoplasma gondii, which affects 30 percent of the global population and is responsible for deaths related to foodborne pathogens. This study aimed to describe the seroprevalence of T. gondii infections in patients attending referral hospitals in the northwestern region of Saudi Arabia.

Materials and methods: The serology test results for T. gondii antibodies of 797 patients were retrospectively analyzed using the hospitals' database. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect anti-T. gondii antibodies (IgG and/or IgM).

Results: Overall, the prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies was 8.3%. Higher (9.9%) prevalence of positive results among patients aged 30 years and above was observed. Statistically, the various age groups (P = 0.031) were found to be significant. Female was noted to have increased (8.1%) seroprevalence, and the incidence of infection occurred largely among participants living in rural areas (8.2%).

Conclusions: Toxoplasmosis remains a public health concern. The seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies was relatively low in the study area. IgG antibodies to T. gondii were mainly detected. Increasing awareness on the mode of transmission, source of infection, and disease prevention through health education and dissemination is vital to reduce or eliminate toxoplasmosis.

Keywords: Saudi Arabia; T. gondii; seroprevalence; toxoplasmosis.