Seroprevalence of Human Toxoplasmosis in Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease of warm blooded animals and humans caused by the parasitic protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite is ubiquitously distributed throughout the world. It causes severe congenital abnormalities including hydrocephalus and mental retardation in infants. Keeping in view the importance of this parasite, the present project was designed to study the prevalence of human toxoplasmosis and its relationship to sex, age and caste of humans.

Material & Methods: This study was conducted in rural areas of district D.G.Khan. The samples were tested by latex agglutination test. The data were collected on the designed proforma and the significance of differences was evaluated by chi-square test using Minitab version 13.

Results: Overall prevalence of T. gondii infection was 29.5%. It was more prevalent in females as compared to males. The relationship between age and human toxoplasmosis showed that the prevalence was highest in age group 51-65 years and lowest in 36-50 years. Caste wise prevalence showed maximum in Mehrwani and minimum in Khakkh caste.

Conclusion: The infection rate of toxoplasmosis is 29.5% in D.G.Khan. It increases with age and women have a higher risk of infection than men.