Immunological status against Toxoplasma gondii in non-cat owners from an endemic region of Mexico.
A cross-sectional study was developed to determine anti-Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies from 80 persons aged 18-21 years without a history of previous contact with cats. Individuals who consented to take part in the survey were served with a questionnaire to obtain response on their eating habits. Blood samples were taken and specific IgM and IgG antibodies against T. gondii were measured by indirect enzyme-linked immunoassay. Seropositivity was found in 29 (37%) and 20 (25%) of 80 persons for IgM and IgG, respectively. Of the cases, 14 (18%) of 80 were positive to both IgM and IgG T. gondii antibodies. A significant association of IgM seropositivity was found in people consuming pork (p-value = 0.04) and wildlife meat (odds ratio = 4.5; confidence intervals = 1.47-14.25; p-value = 0.009). The presence of specific IgG and IgM antibodies in the studied population indicate previous contact and/or recent infections with T. gondii despite avoiding direct contact with cats. Ingestion of pork and meat from wild animals appears to be playing a key role in transmitting the parasite.
Laboratorio de Biología Celular, C.A. Biomedicina de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, México. mjcoello@uady.mx
Matilde
M
Jiménez-Coello
Eugenia
E
Guzmán-Marín
Antonio
A
Ortega-Pacheco
Karla Y
KY
Acosta-Viana
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D002415:Cats; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000469:parasitology; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D055815:Young Adult
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M