Mohammad-Shafi Mojadadi; Najmeh Mahmoodabadi; Zohreh Sajadiniya; Rahim Golmohamadi; Hossein Elyasi
Volume 23, Issue 3 , July and August 2016, , Pages 490-495
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that infects all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Acute infection with Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women frequently leads to congenital toxoplasmosis which may cause abortion or severe diseases such as premature birth, ...
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Background Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that infects all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Acute infection with Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women frequently leads to congenital toxoplasmosis which may cause abortion or severe diseases such as premature birth, permanent neurological damage, and visual impairment in the baby. Serological survey in females before marriage can reveal immune status of them against toxoplasmosis. This research aimed to determine the anti-toxoplasma antibodies in female students of Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran.Materials & Methods In this cross-sectional study, 137 blood samples were taken from female students that were randomly selected and used for the measurement of anti-toxoplasma antibodies by ELISA method. Using a researcher-designed questionnaire, information such as consuming grilled and undercooked meat, exposure to cats and residency status was collected. The data analysis was performed by Chi-square test using SPSS.Results The detected IgG antibodies in 18(13.1%) samples were significant, and no IgM antibody was found in the studied samples. There were no significant differences between infection and factors such as residency status (urban/rural), vegetables consumption, cat keeping, eating underdone and roasted meat (P>0.1).Conclusion The results of this study revealed that 86.9% of female students were seronegative and at high risk for acquiring infection, thus they should be educated to prevent contracting congenital toxoplasmosis during the period of pregnancy.
Mohammadtaghi Shakeri; Mohammad Sadegh Marvi; Hamidreza SafaBakhsh; Parastoo Jamili; Reyhaneh Bazargani
Volume 20, Issue 4 , January and February 2014, , Pages 464-471
Abstract
Background: Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV), a retrovirus, is the causative agent of adult T-lymphocytic leukemia (ATL) and tropical spastic paraparesia (TSP). HTLV-1 is transmitted mainly through blood transfusion. Sabzevar is an endemic region for HTLV infection; hence it is essential to detect the ...
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Background: Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV), a retrovirus, is the causative agent of adult T-lymphocytic leukemia (ATL) and tropical spastic paraparesia (TSP). HTLV-1 is transmitted mainly through blood transfusion. Sabzevar is an endemic region for HTLV infection; hence it is essential to detect the prevalence of HTLV1/2 infection in the blood donors of this city.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, blood samples of all donors referring to Sabzevar Blood Transfusion Center from 2007 to 2008 were screened for HTLV infection using ELISA, and positive samples were confirmed by western blotting. Data were analyzed in SPSS software version 17.0 using Chi squared and Student's t-test.
Results: The results showed that 56 of donors (44 male: 78.6% and 12 female: 21.4%) were infected to HTLV, with average age 40.27±10.02. The prevalence of HTLV infection among all donors was 0.26%. There was a significant correlation between age, marital status, times of blood donation and educational levels and HTLV infection.
Conclusions: Regarding lower rate of infection among younger and regular blood donors and donors with higher educational levels, it should be considered to select donors from this population.