Seroprevalence of Human Toxoplasmosis in Gujranwala Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis, transmitted by Toxoplasma gondii, is a disease caused by water pollution. Consuming undercooked food or drinking polluted water can lead to severe infections, including seizures, cerebral necrosis, and hearing loss. Objective: To find out the prevalence of human toxoplasmosis in Gujranwala Punjab Pakistan. Methods: Human blood samples were obtained at random from various locations in Gujranwala. About 5ml blood was draw by puncturing the vein using the sterilized syringe and collected in EDTA vials. Serum was separated from collected blood by centrifugation at 3000rpm for 15 minutes and was collected in serum cup. The Latex Agglutination Test Kit was used to find the presence or absence of T. gondii in the collected serum. Results: The overall seroprevalence of human toxoplasmosis was 34.25%, with the highest prevalence found in the age group of 15-25 years (41.26%) and the lowest in 65-70 years (28.57%). The prevalence was found to be 36.5% in males and 32% in females, with the highest prevalence found in the age group of 15-25 years (41.26%). The prevalence was also higher in the age group of 65-70 years (28.57%). Factors contributing to the prevalence of toxoplasmosis include employment, direct contact with pets, drinking from tape water/supply water (51.38%), mud houses (60.46%), and eating raw vegetable and undercooked meat (81.81%) as compared to cooked fully cooked meat and vegetables (13.25%). Conclusions: The study highlights the complicated prevalence of toxicity in the Gujranwala community, affecting factors like age, education, employment, water supply, housing, and nutrition, requiring targeted interventions.