Sero-Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Sero-Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Pigs and Pregnant Women of Bhaktapur District

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is one of the medically and veterinary important disease caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. There is scarce information about the epidemiology of T. gondii infection in pregnant women and pigs in Bhaktapur districts. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the sero prevalence of T. gondii among pigs and pregnant women in Bhaktapur district.A total of 91 blood samples, 41 from farmed pig(3 rd June 2012 to 6 th June 2012) and 50 from pregnant women(10 viii th July 2012 to 26 July 2012)seeking prenatal check up in Bhaktapur Hospital were collected.After a questionnaire applied to the pregnant women and pig farmers, all the collected specimens were tested for IgG anti-T.gondii antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The overall sero prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibody in the study area was 22% among pregnant women whereas sero prevalence in sampled pigs blood was observednull during study period.The present percentage of prevalence rate in pregnant women is low as compared with those reported in other region of Nepal.No significant relations were observed between anti-T.gondii IgG antibodies and any of the possible risk factors viz, cat ownership, playing habit with cats, working in garden, raw and pork meat consumption, drinking untreated water, age group,level of education and occupation during study period.