title: First Report on Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Study in Blood Donors.
abstract: To provide the first data on the prevalence and basic demographic risk factors for human Toxoplasma gondii infection in the Banja Luka region, Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H).
  
  
  
  Analysis of serological and epidemiological data in a series of 320 blood donors (aged 18-55 years) from the Banja Luka region tested for Toxoplasma infection in February 2015.
  
  
  
  The overall prevalence of infection was 30.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.5-35.6). The risk factors included male gender (odds ratio [OR] = 1.69; 95% CI = 1.02-2.79), increasing age (OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.09-1.72), and living in rural area (OR = 1.83; 95% CI = 1.10-3.05). The prevalence of infection significantly increased with age and was higher in males and in residents of rural areas. Among women, the risk factor was the residence area (OR = 2.39; 95% CI = 1.08-5.30), whereas among men, it was age (OR = 1.45; 95% CI = 1.07-1.95). In the subgroup of women of childbearing age (aged 18-45 years), the prevalence was 22.3% (95% CI = 14.9-29.7).
  
  
  
  This study provided the first data on the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection in B&H, as well as insight into the demographic risk factors as a basis for a future prevention program for Toxoplasma infection.
authors: 1 National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Center of Excellence for Food- and Vector-borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade , Belgrade, Serbia .
authors: Branko
authors: B
authors: Bobić
authors: 2 Institute for Transfusion Medicine of the Republic of Srpska , Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors: Milanka
authors: M
authors: Milosavić
authors: 2 Institute for Transfusion Medicine of the Republic of Srpska , Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors: Gordana
authors: G
authors: Guzijan
authors: 1 National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Center of Excellence for Food- and Vector-borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade , Belgrade, Serbia .
authors: Olgica
authors: O
authors: Djurković-Djaković
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors; D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Toxoplasma gondii; blood donors; infection prevalence; risk factors