Sero-prevalence of toxoplasma gondii infection in healthy human population in kashmir valley, india

Abstract

An IgG antibody prevalence of 24.2% (123/508) was found in the study population, while examination of specific IgA and IgM antibodies was negative. A significant increase in toxoplasmosis prevalence with increasing age was confirmed (p =0.001). There were no significant differences between genders or between inhabitants of rural and urban areas (p =0.079 and p =0.291, respectively). An increased consumption of raw meat (40.7%) and raw vegetables or fruit (30.8%) was observed in serologically positive women. This difference between serologically positive and negative women was significant (p =0.042). A significant difference between men and women eating raw vegetables and fruit was also found (p =0.049). There was no difference in clinical symptoms between serologically positive and negative patients (p =0.658). Lymphadenopathy with or without other symptoms (influenza, arthralgia, ocular symptom, dermatosis), 40.7%, was the most common clinical symptom in seropositive patients.