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Research Article

Seroprevalence and Distribution of Toxoplasma gondii Infections among Patients in the West Bank, Palestine (2017–2021)

Rania Abu Seir Faculty of Health Professions, Al-Quds University, Abu Dis, Palestine;

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Jerzy M. Behnke School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom;

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Marawan Abu-Madi Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.23-0721
Volume/Issue:
Volume 111: Issue 5
Page(s):
1000–1004
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ABSTRACT.

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. The current study assessed the seroepidemiological status and risk factors of T. gondii in the West Bank, Palestine. We conducted a retrospective study among 1,475 patients referred for serological examination for toxoplasmosis between 2017 and 2021 at the Central Public Health Laboratory. The overall prevalences of anti–T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were 21.0% [18.9–23.0%] and 1.0% [0.5–1.6%], respectively. Multifactorial analysis showed that age and sex were significantly associated with the presence of IgG antibodies. The prevalence of IgG antibodies was highest in 2018 and decreased significantly each year until 2021. Routine serological screening in women of childbearing age and pregnant women is recommended.

Author Notes

Disclosure: The study was approved by the Research Ethical Committee (REC) at Al-Quds University, Palestine (reference number 260/REC/2022). Considering the retrospective nature of the study and all the procedures being performed as part of routine care and because the retrieved data were anonymized to maintain the confidentiality of patients, individual informed consent was waived by the REC.

Current contact information: Rania Abu Seir, Faculty of Health Professions, Al-Quds University, Abu Dis, Palestine, E-mail: rabusear@staff.alquds.edu. Jerzy M. Behnke, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom, E-mail: jerzy.behnke@nottingham.ac.uk. Marawan Abu-Madi, Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar, E-mail: abumadi@qu.edu.qa.

Address correspondence to Marawan Abu-Madi, QU Health, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar. E-mail: abumadi@qu.edu.qa
Copyright:
© American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2024
Received:
19 Oct 2023
|
Accepted:
10 Jun 2024
|
Published Online:
17 Sep 2024
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
Online ISSN:
1476-1645
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