Uneke C J, Duhlinska D D, Ngwu B A F, Njoku M O
Department of Medical Microbiology/Parasitology, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Ebonyi, Nigeria.
Afr J Med Med Sci. 2007 Jun;36(2):109-13.
Toxoplasma gondii infection has become a major public health concern in recent times due to the ravaging HIV/AIDS pandemic. The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was determined in Kwal, a rural district of Plateau-Nigeria using IgG-ELISA. Epidemiological assessment was also conducted for the purpose of establishing the infection dynamics. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 30 (20.8%) of the 144 individuals studied. The prevalence of infection was slightly higher amongst the males (22.0%) than the females (20.0%), individuals of age group 21-30 years had the highest prevalence of 33.3% while the least (7.4%) occurred amongst the 41-50 years age group. No significant difference was noted (p < 0.05). The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies was significantly higher amongst individuals who handle/eat rodents (29.6%) and those who constantly had contact with soil (21.2%). These were the predominant risk factors of T. gondii infection in the area. Consequently, the infection occurred most amongst farmers (25.0%). This study contributes to the development of guidelines for the prevention and management of toxoplasmosis. Results were discussed in relation to the T. gondii epidemiological factors inherent within the population studied.
由于肆虐的艾滋病疫情，弓形虫感染近来已成为一个主要的公共卫生问题。在尼日利亚高原州的一个农村地区夸尔，采用IgG-ELISA法测定了弓形虫感染的血清流行率。还进行了流行病学评估，以确定感染动态。在所研究的144人中，有30人（20.8%）检测到弓形虫抗体。男性的感染率（22.0%）略高于女性（20.0%），21至30岁年龄组的感染率最高，为33.3%，而在41至50岁年龄组中感染率最低（7.4%）。未发现显著差异（p<0.05）。在处理/食用啮齿动物的人群（29.6%）和经常接触土壤的人群（21.2%）中，弓形虫抗体的血清流行率显著更高。这些是该地区弓形虫感染的主要危险因素。因此，农民中的感染率最高（25.0%）。本研究有助于制定弓形虫病预防和管理指南。根据所研究人群中固有的弓形虫流行病学因素对结果进行了讨论。
