Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors forToxoplasma gondiiInfection in Healthy Blood Donors: A Cross-Sectional Study in Sonora, Mexico

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii(T.gondii) can be transmitted by blood transfusion. We determined the prevalence ofT.gondiiinfection in healthy blood donors in Hermosillo city, Mexico, and the association of infection withT.gondiiwith the sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics of blood donors. Four hundred and eight blood donors who attended two public blood banks in Hermosillo city were examined for anti-T.gondiiIgG and IgM antibodies by using enzyme-linked immunoassays. Of the 408 blood donors (mean age31.77±9.52; range 18–60 years old) studied, 55 (13.5%) were positive for anti-T.gondiiIgG antibodies, and 12 (21.8%) of them were also positive for anti-T.gondiiIgM antibodies. Multivariate analysis showed that seropositivity toT.gondiiwas associated with age (OR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.03–2.94;P=0.03) and tobacco use (OR = 2.09; 95% CI: 1.02–4.29;P=0.04). Seropositivity toT. gondiiwas correlated with the number of pregnancies, deliveries, and cesarean sections. The seroprevalence ofT. gondiiinfection in blood donors in Sonora is the highest reported in blood donors in northern Mexico so far. This is the first report of an association ofT. gondiiexposure and tobacco use. Further research to confirm this association is needed.