A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and risk
factors of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in 260 blood donors seen at blood
banks, Mansoura University Hospital, Egypt. Blood donors were interviewed
about sociodemographic characteristics and risk factors for T. gondii infection.
A blood sample was taken to document the T. gondii antibody status by using
ELISA. Overall, 155 (59.6%) of 260 blood donors were positive for anti-T.
gondii IgG antibodies. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant
association between T. gondii positivity and eating processed meat as
luncheon and/or shawerma (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 80.82 [95% CI 18.62-
350.81], P <0.0001) or being non-educated (adjusted OR 32.25 [95% CI 7.46-
139.44], P <0.0001). These findings highlight the prevalent 7'. gondii among
blood donors and focused on the risk factors.
Key words: Egypt, Blood donors, Toxoplasmosis, Prevalence, Risk factor. |
