Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease, recognized as a serious public health problem
worldwide.
Toxoplasma gondii
infection has become a major public health concern in recent years
due to the ravaging HIV/AIDS pandemic. A serological survey was carried out in Tanga district
of north-eastern Tanzania to assess
T. gondii
infection rates among occupationally-exposed groups
including abattoir workers, livestock keepers, animal health workers and other groups. The survey
was undertaken in November 2005 using modified Eiken latex agglutination test (LAT). Antibodies
to
T. gondii were detected in 91 (46%) of the 199 individuals studied.
T. gondii seroprevalence
was slightly higher amongst males (46.2%) than females (43.3%) although the difference was not
significant (
P> 0.05). Individuals, ≤20 and ≥60 years old had the highest prevalence of 60% and 61.5%,
respectively. The lowest prevalence of (35.7%) was observed amongst the 50-60 years age group. The
seroprevalence of toxoplasma antibodies was significantly higher amongst individuals who keep
livestock (52.2%) and abattoir workers (46.3%). These results suggest exposure to
T. gondii infection
is present among residents of Tanga district in Tanzania and strengthen further on previous findings
that consumption of raw or undercooked meat and keeping pets especially cats presents more of the
risk factors than occupational groups. It also emphasizes on the necessity to create awareness of this
disease, and advocate protection of risky groups from exposure to infected meat and contaminated
environment.
