Serological prevalence of Toxoplasma Gondii infection in children aged 1 month to 5 years in Manisa region, Western Turkey
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Date
2002
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Abstract
Objective: Toxoplasmosis is a protozoan infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasma gondii infections are generally asymptomatic in immunocompetent cases. However, congenital toxoplasmosis may easily occur when seronegative women are being primarily infected during pregnancy. Routine serological testing is the only way of detecting toxoplasma antibodies in patients without any symptoms of toxoplasmosis. Design: In this study, seroprevalence rates according to age groups were determined in children living in Manisa region, Turkey. Materials and Methods: Sera were analyzed by indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) and enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA) methods. Results: Of the 200 children, 9 (4.5%) had only IgG, 2 (1.0%) had only IgM and 2 (1.0%) had both IgG and IgM types toxoplasma antibodies. Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that in Manisa region, Turkey, the antibody presence was increased with age and the overall toxoplasma antibody prevalence was 6.5% among children in the first five years of life.
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Keywords
antibody , antibody titer , article , congenital toxoplasmosis , controlled study , enzyme linked immunosorbent assay , female , human , immunofluorescence test , infant , major clinical study , male , preschool child , serodiagnosis , seroprevalence , Toxoplasma gondii , toxoplasmosis , Turkey (republic)