Journal
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
Volume 84, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102402
Keywords
Toxoplasma gondii; Seroprevalence; Veterinary personnel; Abattoir workers; MAT; ELISA; IFAT; Risk factors
Categories
Funding
- BIRAC-PACE [BT/AIR0470/PACE-15/18]
- DST/INSPIRE grant [04/2016/000488]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The study revealed approximately 46%, 48% and 47% seropositivity rates among veterinary personnel and abattoir workers for Toxoplasma gondii infection, indicating a significant association between occupational exposure to animals and T. gondii seropositivity.
Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is an important zoonotic infection. Veterinary personnel and abattoir workers are considered to be at a high risk of T. gondii infection owing to their occupational exposure. However, the association of T. gondii infection with occupational exposure to animals has not been determined in India. Hence, we analysed 139 and 126 blood samples of veterinary personnel and abattoir workers, respectively, for anti-T. gondii antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), modified agglutination test (MAT) and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The association of seroprevalence with sociodemographic profiles, work activities and dietary habits was determined in the study population. MAT, ELISA and IFAT results demonstrated nearly 46%, 48% and 47% seropositivity, respectively. MAT (kappa = 0.924) and IFAT (kappa = 0.962) results showed good agreement with ELISA results. Of the ELISA positive samples, 46% was copositive for IgG antibody, 1.5% for IgM antibody and 1.5% for both IgG and IgM antibodies. High IgG avidity was observed only in IgG+ IgM- and IgG+ IgM+ samples and not in IgM+ IgG- samples, indicating chronic T. gondii infection in most of the cases. Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed that T. gondii seropositivity was associated with age > 30 years (odds ration [OR] = 1.992), cat at home (OR = 1.991), not wearing gloves (OR = 1.886), not wearing safety glasses (OR = 1.985) and contact with soil (OR = 1.695). These findings support the presence of a potentially significant association between T. gondii seropositivity and occupational exposure to animals.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available