Sero-prevalence of toxoplasmosis in blood donors in Khartoum State using latex agglutination test

Abstract

This is a descriptive cross sectional study that was conducted at the National Laboratory of Health at Khartoum State to assess the sero-prevalence of toxoplasmosis in blood donors in Khartoum State. Following informed consent samples were collected at voluntary counseling and testing centers of blood banks in Khartoum, Omdurman and Khartoum North Teaching Hospitals in the period 2011-2013. A total of 534 samples were taken from the blood donors and investigated for infection of Toxoplasma gonadii using Latex agglutination test (LAT). The number of samples collected from Khartoum, Omdurman and Khartoum North were 299 (56%), 118 (22.1%) and 117 (21.9%), respectively. The study population was divided into 7 age groups. The results indicated that the sero-prevalence of toxoplasmosis was 44% among the study population. The highest positive results (14.6%) were detected among the age group 18-25 years and the lowest rate (0.6%) was reported in the age group 51-56 years. The results also indicated no association between toxoplasmosis infection on one hand and occupation of participants, residence area and origin of milk. However, the results indicated correlation between infection and contact with cats, consumption of undercooked meat and drinking of raw milk. The conclusion of this study was that, toxoplasmosis diagnosed by Latex agglutination increased with decreasing age and that consumption of undercooked meat and drinking of raw milk are risk factors for toxoplasmosis infection.