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Assessment of exposure and endemicity of Toxoplasma gondii among blood donors from the province of holguín, Cuba

Abstract:

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii. First described a little over 100 years ago, it is the most widely distributed parasitic disease affecting humans. The disease may be acquired from the placenta, from transplanted organs or from blood transfusions. The infecting form of the parasite, known as "tachyzoite", is responsible for this type of infection, which occurs during the hematogenous stage in a T. gondii-seropositive individual. The presence of this parasite has been demonstrated both in Cuba and in other regions of the world. In the province of Holguín its circulation has been confirmed in renal transplant recipients. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among blood donors. Methods: An evaluation was conducted of 892 serum samples from donors from the 14 municipalities in the province of Holguín. Serological behavior was determined by indirect immunofluorescence technique. Results: Seropositivity for anti-Toxoplasma gondii Immunoglobulin G was found to be 38.2 %. Conclusions: Blood donors from the province of Holguín are exposed to Toxoplasma gondii. The parasite is endemic in all municipalities, and it has been shown that Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity is higher in rural areas than in urban areas.