Prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii among urban and rural residents in the Philippines.

A survey of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii was carried out among residents in urban (Metro Manila) and rural (Mindoro and Leyte) areas in the Philippines. A total of 1,173 serum samples were examined for Toxoplasma antibody by an ELISA method. The overall seropositivity was 11.1% (n=904, 12.4% in males, 10.0% in females) in Metro Manila, 61.2% (n=152, 63.3% in males, 53.1% in females) in Mindoro, and 30.1% (n=113, 34.3% in males, 22.5% in females) in Leyte, indicating significantly higher (p<0.001) seropositivities in rural than urban settings. No significant differences in seropositivities were observed between males and females. In each group, seropositivity tended to increase with age of the subjects.     

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in a healthy population from Slovakia

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous parasite of warm-blooded animals that causes one of the most common parasitic infections in humans. Toxoplasmosis is not a frequently reported disease and its prevalence is based on regional studies. METHODS: This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies in a non-endemic area among 508 healthy individuals in Slovakia. ELISA was used to detect the levels of IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies. Epidemiological factors and clinical symptoms associated with seropositivity were investigated using questionnaires. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: An increased prevalence of T. gondii was observed in the age group over 40 years and in women who consume raw meat, vegetables, or fruit.     

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in Tepehuanos in Durango, Mexico

The epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection is known to depend on a number of behavioral factors, including contact with animals and eating habits. The epidemiology in specific populations (i.e., in indigenous ethnic groups) is not well studied. We therefore investigated the presence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies in 156 Tepehuanos, an indigenous ethnic group in Durango State in northern Mexico, using ELISAs. Of the 156 Tepehuanos (mean age 31.03±16.71 years), 35 (22.4%) had anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies. IgG levels of 14-99, 100-150, and >150?IU/mL were found in 15 (42.9%), 1 (2.8%), and 19 (54.3%) anti-Toxoplasma IgG-positive Tepehuanos, respectively. Also, 15 (9.6%) subjects had anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies. Male Tepehuanos aged 31-50 years showed a significantly higher frequency of exposure to T. gondii than female Tepehuanos of the same age. Seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies was significantly higher in Tepehuanos without education than those with 7-12 years of education. Tepehuanos suffering from frequent headaches had significantly higher seroprevalences of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies than those without this clinical feature. In addition, Tepehuanos suffering from hearing impairment had significantly higher seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies than those without this clinical feature. Logistic regression analysis did not show an association of T. gondii exposure with any behavioral characteristics, including contact with cats or eating habits. The seroprevalence of T. gondii exposure in Tepehuanos is comparable to that reported in other populations in North America; however, seroprevalence in the largely rural Tepehuanos is higher than that reported in a nearby urban center. Toxoplasma may be impacting the health of Tepehuanos. This is the first report of T. gondii infection in Tepehuanos, and the results should prove useful for the design of preventive measures.     

Determination of IgG, IgM and IgA antibody responses in human toxoplasmosis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

A 4-layer modification of ELISA for the determination of toxoplasma antibodies is described. In 103 Finnish blood donors 27 had antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii. One donor had IgM antibodies and IgA antibodies were found in 9. In patients with acute toxoplasmosis a vigorous IgG antibody response resulted in high antibody levels soon after infection, declining gradually to mean adult levels in approximately 2 yr. IgM antibodies appeared during the earliest phases of infection and disappeared as early as in 1 or 2 months in some cases and in most cases by the 6th month after infection. An IgA antibody response was also always seen. It was slower than the IgM response and could therefore be used to improve the laboratory diagnosis especially in cases where IgM antibodies had already disappeared and no further increase in IgG antibodies could be detected.     

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, rubella and cytomegalovirus among pregnant women in southern Turkey

Primary infections caused by Toxoplasma gondii, rubella and cytomegalovirus (CMV) can lead to serious complications in pregnant women. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma, rubella and CMV infections through antenatal screening. In this study, the consecutive records of 1652 pregnant women examined between the period March 2004 to January 2006 were included. The results of the antenatal screening for Toxoplasma, rubella and CMV during the first trimester of pregnancy were evaluated. Anti-Toxoplasma, anti-rubella and anti-CMV IgG and IgM antibodies were assayed using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method. Of the 1652 pregnant women tested, anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody was found in 860 (52.1%) of the cases, while 9 (0.54%) of the subjects tested positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgM. Anti-rubella IgG and IgM antibodies were reactive in 1570 (95.0%), and in 9 (0.54%) of the tested women, respectively. Moreover, 1568 (94.9%) of them were found to be positive for anti-CMV IgG, while 7 (0.4%) tested positive for anti-CMV IgM. Consequently, because of the high seropositivity of T. gondii, rubella and CMV in the pregnant women, the country's health authorities should be alerted, and preventive measures should be taken.     

Reduced risk of toxoplasma encephalitis in HIV-infected patients--a prospective study from Gauteng, South Africa

Toxoplasma seroprevalence was determined in 307 consecutive HIV-infected medical inpatients at the Helen Joseph Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa, using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay to detect immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies. The mean age of patients was 36 years, with a female to male ratio of 1.3 to 1. The mean CD4 count was 109 cells/mL. Toxoplasma antibodies were detected in 25 patients (8%). Twenty-two of these patients were IgG positive and IgM negative, i.e. reactivation toxoplasmosis. Only two patients (0.65%) had clinical manifestations of toxoplasmosis (one toxoplasma encephalitis and one retinitis). The risk for toxoplasma encephalitis (TE) was 0.33%. These results indicate that the toxoplasma seroprevalence and the TE risk in this population is low. The implication from this study is that in HIV-infected populations where the toxoplasma seroprevalence is low, the TE risk will be low and empiric treatment of focal brain lesions with anti-toxoplasma therapy may be inappropriate.     

Difference of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies between Thai and Austrian pregnant women

Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies of Thai and Austrian pregnant women were studied, in the same laboratory unit, by using the Sabin-Feldman dye test and ISAGA-IgM. In Thai pregnant women, IgG antibody was found in 21.7%, mostly the IgG titers were low and all were negative for IgM antibody. Conversely in Austrian pregnant women, IgG antibody was found in 30.0% with high titer, and there were 19 (6.3%) cases positive for IgM antibody. The seropositivity of T. gondii IgG antibody in Austrian pregnant women was significantly higher than in Thai (p = 0.02) and the titers were much higher. Two possibilities are postulated to explain the data: it may be because Thai women were infected at a younger age than Austrian women, so they were in the chronic infection stage corresponding with their negativity of IgM antibody or it may be due to the difference of strain virulence of T. gondii from the different parts of the world.     

Composition of circulating immune complexes in acute toxoplasmosis

The circulating immune complexes (CIC) that form in the hot just in early Toxoplasma gondii invasion can be present in the blood bed for a while. At the same time, the data on the antigenic composition of CIC in toxoplasmosis are fragmentary and rather contradictory. The investigation used enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to detect specific CIC that contain antigens to T. gondii tachyzoites in the sera of different populations and studied their antigenic composition by immunoblotting after 2-6% polyethylene glycol 6000-induced deposition. Examining 464 sera from groups of individuals with varying-stage T. gondii invasion indicated CIC in each, but showing their different frequency. CIC were virtually present in all sera from children who had been diagnosed as having congenital toxoplasmosis. In groups of seropositive pregnant women, CIC detection rates were noticeably higher in the samples showing both IgG and IgM antibodies (40.2 and 66.4%, respectively). CIC were also revealed in 9.8% of the seronegative blood donors; however, immunoblotting failed to confirm that they had no components that specifically reacted with T. gondii tachyzoite antigen antibodies. There were some differences in the composition of CIC in the serum yielding positive results in both EIA and immunoblotting. The serum CIC from pregnant women that exhibited only IgG antibodies contained mainly T. gondii antigens having molecular weights of 67 and 30 kD. The serum CIC from children with congenital toxoplasmosis and from pregnant women with serologically detected IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma antigens were found to contain 55-58-, 48-, 44-, 38-, 30-, and 26-kD components. The same molecular weight proteins were detected by electrophoretic studies of Toxoplasma excretory-secretory antigen (ESA). Comparing the findings suggests that in acute toxoplasmosis, the circulating complexes mainly contain ESA of the tachyzoites which appear in human blood just at the onset of invasion. Thus, this study demonstrates that specifically CIC are detectable in the sera of individuals infected with T. gondii and their antigenic composition varies with the stage of disease. In the authors' opinion, the detection of specific CIC and the determination of their antigenic composition may be serve an additional test in diagnosing acute toxoplasmosis.     

无锡地区3类人群弓形虫感染调查

目的　了解无锡地区类风湿性关节炎、恶性肿瘤、精神分裂症等3类人群刚地弓形虫感染情况，为后续该人群弓形虫感染防控提供数据支撑。方法　2016–2019年选择无锡地区经确诊的205例类风湿性关节炎病例、257例恶性肿瘤病例、235例精神分裂症病例作为调查对象，以250例健康体检者作为对照。采集全部研究对象人口学特征等相关数据，并采集血清。采用酶联免疫吸附试验检测研究对象血清弓形虫特异性IgG和IgM抗体水平，比较类风湿性关节炎、恶性肿瘤和精神分裂症病例与健康体检者血清抗弓形虫IgG和IgM抗体阳性率差异。结果　无锡地区类风湿性关节炎、恶性肿瘤和精神分裂症患者血清抗弓形虫IgG抗体阳性率分别为20.98%、24.12%和24.68%，均显著高于健康对照者（χ2 = 31.54、42.12和42.98，P均< 0.01）；类风湿性关节炎、恶性肿瘤和精神分裂症患者血清抗弓形虫IgM抗体阳性率分别为1.46%、2.72%和1.70%，与健康对照者血清抗弓形虫IgM抗体阳性率比较，差异均无统计学意义（χ2 = 0.06、1.52和0.21，P均> 0.05）。结论　无锡地区类风湿性关节炎、恶性肿瘤和精神分裂症患者血清抗弓形虫IgG抗体阳性率均显著高于健康体检者，后续应加强刚地弓形虫感染筛查，防止并发弓形虫感染引起的危害。     

无锡地区3类人群弓形虫感染调查

目的　了解无锡地区类风湿性关节炎、恶性肿瘤、精神分裂症等3类人群刚地弓形虫感染情况,为后续该人群弓形虫感染防控提供数据支撑。方法　2016–2019年选择无锡地区经确诊的205例类风湿性关节炎病例、257例恶性肿瘤病例、235例精神分裂症病例作为调查对象,以250例健康体检者作为对照。采集全部研究对象人口学特征等相关数据,并采集血清。采用酶联免疫吸附试验检测研究对象血清弓形虫特异性IgG和IgM抗体水平,比较类风湿性关节炎、恶性肿瘤和精神分裂症病例与健康体检者血清抗弓形虫IgG和IgM抗体阳性率差异。结果　无锡地区类风湿性关节炎、恶性肿瘤和精神分裂症患者血清抗弓形虫IgG抗体阳性率分别为20.98%、24.12%和24.68%,均显著高于健康对照者（χ2 = 31.54、42.12和42.98,P均< 0.01）;类风湿性关节炎、恶性肿瘤和精神分裂症患者血清抗弓形虫IgM抗体阳性率分别为1.46%、2.72%和1.70%,与健康对照者血清抗弓形虫IgM抗体阳性率比较,差异均无统计学意义（χ2 = 0.06、1.52和0.21,P均> 0.05）。结论　无锡地区类风湿性关节炎、恶性肿瘤和精神分裂症患者血清抗弓形虫IgG抗体阳性率均显著高于健康体检者,后续应加强刚地弓形虫感染筛查,防止并发弓形虫感染引起的危害。     

重组抗原在弓形虫病诊断中的应用

刚地弓形虫感染危害严重,研究敏感性高和特异性好的弓形虫感染检测方法对于弓形虫病的诊断至关重要。弓形虫病的诊断一般依赖于检测患者血清中弓形虫特异性IgM和IgG。目前,商业试剂盒大多采用天然抗原,其检测精确性较差。重组抗原已经被发展用来诊断弓形虫病,且具有潜在的应用价值。本综述主要介绍重组抗原在弓形虫病诊断中的应用。     

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA by PCR in mother's blood, amniotic fluid and child's blood in selected cases of pathological pregnancy

Prenatal screening of Toxoplasma gondii infection is controversial. The diagnosis is based on serological tests detecting IgM and IgG antibodies against T. gondii, but interpretation of these tests results is often confusing. It is commonly made retrospectively when serological screening indicates a possibility of recent infection. Most women have antibodies against T. gondii and serial testing is required only in monitoring of pregnancies where initial screening is negative. The introduction of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay for detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in selected cases of pathologic pregnancies has permitted a more accurate and faster diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis infections.     

Diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women using automated chemiluminescence and quantitative real time PCR

Objective: To identify serodiagnosis and quantification of Toxoplasma gondii(T. gondii) infection among pregnant women in Salmas, northwest of Iran. Methods: In this crosssectional study, 276 blood samples were collected from pregnant women referred to the health care centers in Salmas city. The demographic variables were also recorded. Titers of antiToxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies(Ab) were determined using the chemiluminescence immunoassay. Quantitative real-time PCR targeting the T. gondii repeated element gene was also performed on the blood sample. Results: Out of all, 19.92%(55/276) and 2.17%(6/276) patients were seropositive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM Ab, respectively. Moreover, the presence of T. gondii DNA was observed in 12.31%(34/276) blood samples. A significant relationship was observed between the IgG Ab seropositivity and contact with the cat as a risk factor(P=0.022). Conclusions: The seroprevalence rate of T. gondii infection in pregnant women is relatively low. Consequently, the seronegative pregnant women are at risk, and a considerable rate of positive blood samples for the presence of parasite's DNA should not be ignored. Besides, quantitative real-time PCR could be considered as an accurate method for diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis especially when the precise results are of the most importance in pregnancy. Limiting contact with cats is also suggested for pregnant women.     

产妇弓形虫感染对新生儿影响的研究

目的探讨孕妇弓形虫感染对胎儿的影响.方法采用酶免三联诊断法对356例母婴配对标本进行血清学检测.结果产妇弓形虫感染率平均为1 9.1%,各单项检测分别为CAg 15.2%、IgM 2.5%、IgG 3.4%;新生儿弓形虫感染率平均为17.7%,其脐血各单项检测分别为CAg 1 6.9%、IgM 0.3%、IgG 2.2%.CAg垂直传播率为35.2%(19/54),IgG垂直传播率为33.3%(4/12).在4例畸胎儿中,2例脐血弓形虫血清学阳性.结论孕妇感染弓形虫有1/3机会可通过胎盘垂直感染胎儿,影响胎儿发育,重者致畸、致死.     

无锡地区不良妊娠结局妇女弓形虫感染及弓形虫病知识知晓率调查

目的 调查无锡地区不良妊娠结局妇女弓形虫感染情况及弓形虫病相关知识知晓率。 方法 以2011年1月至2015年12月无锡市217例不良妊娠结局妇女作为研究对象（试验组）,以250例正常妊娠妇女作为对照。采用ELISA法检测并比较试验组和对照组血清抗弓形虫抗体阳性率。采用自行设计的问卷对试验组和对照组妇女进行问卷调查,比较两组弓形虫病相关知识知晓率。 结果 试验组妇女血清抗弓形虫抗体阳性率为30.88%,显著高于正常妊娠妇女的8.80%（[χ2]= 36.70,P < 0.01）;抗弓形虫IgG和IgM抗体阳性率分别为20.74%和10.14%,显著高于对照组的6.00%和2.80%（[χ2]= 22.53和10.74,P 均 < 0.01）。此外,以胎停、自然流产、早产和出生缺陷为妊娠结局的妇女血清抗弓形虫抗体阳性率及血清抗弓形虫IgG和IgM抗体阳性率均显著高于正常妊娠妇女（P均< 0.05）。试验组妇女对“你听说过弓形虫或弓形虫病吗？” （P < 0.01）、“你知道养宠物猫和犬会感染弓形虫吗？”（P < 0.05）和“你知道孕期需要进行弓形虫感染检查吗？”（P < 0.01）等3道问题的知晓率显著低于对照组,而两组妇女对“你知道吃火锅会感染弓形虫吗？”、“你知道家中砧板生熟不分可能会导致弓形虫感染吗？”、“你知道孕妇感染弓形虫会传给胎儿吗？”、“你知道孕期弓形虫感染会导致流产、死胎、胎儿畸形等不良妊娠结局吗？”和“你知道孕妇感染弓形虫需要治疗吗？”等问题的知晓率差异无统计学意义（P 均> 0.05）。结论 无锡市地区不良妊娠妇女弓形虫感染率显著高于正常妊娠妇女。考虑到孕妇感染弓形虫的危害以及孕妇对弓形虫病相关知识知晓率较低的现状,应进一步加大弓形虫病相关知识宣传和健康教育力度,特别是对备孕妇女开展有针对性的弓形虫病健康教育,以降低孕妇弓形虫感染率、提高优生优育水平。     

乙酰螺旋霉素联合阿奇霉素治疗孕期弓形虫感染的临床效果

目的 目的 探讨螺旋霉素联合阿奇霉素治疗孕期弓形虫感染的综合治疗方法。方法 方法 应用ELISA方法检测孕妇血清 特异性弓形虫IgG和IgM抗体, 并采用PCR方法检测羊水中弓形虫感染情况; 选取其中3例弓形虫IgM抗体阳性孕妇作为 治疗对象, 应用螺旋霉素联合阿奇霉素进行综合治疗, 通过血清学特异性抗体检测和PCR检测结果初步判断其疗效。结 结 果 果 经ELISA检测, 孕期妇女血清特异性弓形虫IgG和IgM抗体的阳性率分别为5.97% （17/285） 和1.05% （3/285）, 对3例血 清IgM抗体阳性孕妇的羊水进行PCR检测特异性弓形虫基因, 有2例呈阳性。经过2种药物的联合治疗, 这2例孕妇血清 特异性弓形虫IgM抗体滴度阴转, PCR检测产妇脐带血中弓形虫基因为阴性。结论 结论 螺旋霉素联合阿奇霉素治疗孕期弓 形虫感染安全、 有效。     

江苏省孕妇弓形虫感染情况调查

目的 了解江苏省孕妇弓形虫感染情况。 方法 2009-2010年选择全省7个市的孕妇作为调查对象,采用酶联免疫吸附试验检测抗弓形虫特异性抗体IgM、IgG。按照《江苏省弓形虫病个案调查表》统一录取信息进行统计分析。结果1 081名孕妇弓形虫IgM均为阴性,IgG阳性率为3.98%（43/1 081）,与对照组的2.27%（4/176）差异无统计学意义（ χ2 =1.23,P ＞ 0.05）;各市间阳性率差异无统计学意义（ χ2 = 2.07,P ＞ 0.05）。IgG阳性率早孕组为3.78%,中晚孕组为4.17%,与对照组3组间差异无统计学意义（ χ2 = 1.33,P ＞ 0.05）。既往有病理性流产史的孕妇无弓形虫IgG阳性者。仅1.84%（8/435）的孕妇曾做过弓形虫相关检测。结论 江苏省孕妇弓形虫感染率处于较低状态,地区间差异不大;应积极开展围孕期弓形虫检测,根据不同对象采取相应的防治对策;同时需进一步在居民中开展加强弓形虫病防治知识的健康教育。［关键词］ 弓形虫;弓形虫病;孕妇;江苏省     

鲁西南医院就诊育龄妇女弓形虫感染状况城乡差别分析

采用ELISA法检测1 839名鲁西南地区妇产科就诊育龄妇女静脉血中弓形虫IgM,被调查人群的弓形虫总感染率为3.10%,其中城镇育龄妇女感染率为1.66%,显著低于农村育龄妇女感染率的4.49%（P＜0.05）,且弓形虫感染率与宠物饲养以及动物屠宰加工销售等职业有关（P 均＜0.05）。结果提示,应根据城乡不同地区制定相对应的弓形虫病防治措施,以控制弓形虫感染率。     

弓形虫既往感染在孕期内对胎儿的影响

目的探讨既往感染者孕期内弓形虫的活动情况及对胎儿的影响。方法对68例抗弓形虫抗体IgG阳性、IgM阴性孕妇的血清、脐血采用酶联免疫吸附试验检测弓形虫抗体IgG、IgM、弓形虫循环抗原（CAg）,PCR法检测虫体DNA;胎盘样本采用直接涂片、匀浆涂片及PCR法观察弓形虫感染情况。结果68例弓形虫抗体IgG阳性孕妇中脐血弓形虫抗体IgG阳性28例,IgG胎盘垂直传播率41.2%;脐血弓形虫DNA阳性6例,宫内感染发生率8.8%;胎盘组织中虫体DNA阳性9例,宫内感染发生率13.2%。结论既往弓形虫感染孕期内仍可导致垂直传播。     

精神分裂症患者弓形虫感染状况的研究

目的 了解河北省张家口地区精神分裂症患者弓形虫感染状况,探讨弓形虫感染与精神分裂症之间的关系。方法 采用酶联免疫吸附试验对222例住院精神分裂症患者及78例健康体检者进行弓形虫循环抗原(CAg)、抗弓形虫抗体IgM、IgG检测。结果 张家口地区精神分裂症患者弓形虫感染率(14.86％)、CAg或IgM阳性率(10.36％)均高于健康体检者(3.85％)、(1.28％),两者之间差异均有显著性(P<0.05);33例弓形虫检测阳性患者中,CAg或IgM阳性率(69.7％)大于IgG阳性率(30.3％)(P<0.01)。结论 张家口地区精神分裂症患者弓形虫感染率高于健康人群,且活动性感染较严重,应加强对弓形虫病的认识,重视精神病患者的弓形虫感染情况。