Seroepidemiological aspects of toxoplasmosis among pre-school children in Najaf Province

Abstract

       This study was used to detect anti Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM in serum, the records of 154 patients children at the age of less than six years (pre-school age) attending the hospitals and the private laboratories in Najaf/ Iraq during the period from January 2009 to December 2009 were reviewed. Investigation by using VIDAS technique presence of T. gondii antibodies showed that 48% of the patients were infected with the parasite, (27% of male as well as 21% of females) were among the positive cases. The percentage of IgG containing serum (66%) was more those contained IgM (34%). The hematological aspects have some relationship with toxoplasmosis, erythrocytes sedimentation rate, showed a marked increasing level, low concentration of hemoglobin and high white blood cells count. The test for toxoplasmosis during childhood and pre-marriage age especially for girls should be a compulsory test to eliminate or limit the adverse effect of this infection during adulthood.