Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Persons Referred to Maamon-Dabbagh Health Center for Medical Examination before Marriage, Erbil, North of Iraq

A total of 322 serum samples were randomly collected and examined for detection of specific Toxoplasma gondii IgM and/or IgG antibodies by Latex agglutination test (LAT). IgM-ELISA and I1gG-ELISA (using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit) were also performed to increase the accuracy of the diagnosis. Various information about participants was collected via., questionnaires and data were analyzed using SPSS software 11.

The overall prevalence was 29.19% (94/322)using LAT. Seropositive rate of recent (IgM) T. gondii infection was 7.76% and latent (IgG) T. gondii infection was 19.88%. A significant increase in T. gondii prevalence with increasing age was confirmed (P< 0.001). No significant relations were observed between anti= T. gondii antibodies and gender, occupation, inhabitants of rural and urban areas. Education level and contact with cats.