title: Seroprevalence of and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies among asymptomatic blood donors in Egypt.
abstract: A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the seroprevalence of and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in 260 blood donors seen at blood banks in Mansoura University Hospital, Egypt. Blood donors were interviewed about sociodemographic characteristics and risk factors for T. gondii infection. A blood sample was taken to document their T. gondii antibody status using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Overall, 155 (59.6%) of 260 blood donors were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between T. gondii seropositivity and eating meat by-products (luncheon/shawerma) (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 80.82 [95% CI 18.62-350.81], P < 0.0001) or being non-educated (adjusted OR 32.25 [95% CI 7.46-139.44], P < 0.0001). These findings highlight that T. gondii is prevalent among blood donors in Egypt.
authors.affiliation: Division of Veterinary Medicine, The School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, UK. Hany.Elsheikha@nottingham.ac.uk
authors.forename: Hany M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Elsheikha
authors.forename: Manar S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Azab
authors.forename: Nashwa K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Abousamra
authors.forename: Mohammad H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Rahbar
authors.forename: Doaa M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Elghannam
authors.forename: Douaa
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raafat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D001782:Blood Donors; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007074:Immunoglobulin G