Abstract
Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is a common infection between humans and animals in the world. In its congenital form, the causative agent of the disease is transmitted through the mother’s placenta to the fetus. Acquired infection is caused by eating oocysts that the cat excretes with feces or through contaminated meat. In people who have problems with the immune system, in malignant patients, in people who do organ transplants, and in patients with AIDS, the infection may be acute and fatal. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of IgM and IgG anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in the blood serum of urban residents and livestock farmers of Tabriz, Iran, in 2021.
Methods: The blood of 50 urban residents and 50 livestock farmers was taken for sampling. The patient’s arm vein was used for blood sampling. Then, the blood was kept at 37 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes and centrifuged (2000 rounds for 10 minutes). After centrifugation, the sera were carefully poured into a microtube and frozen and kept for an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test.
Results: The study of the frequency distribution of toxoplasmosis by ELISA method in urban residents and livestock farmers in Tabriz and suburbs showed that out of 100 studied people, 36 cases (36%) of the total had anti-toxoplasma IgG titer higher than normal (positive). In the group of positive cases of toxoplasmosis in livestock farmers, 24 (48%) out of 50 cases had a higher-than-normal titer, which is considered positive. Further, out of the 50 urban people surveyed, 12 cases (24%) had titers higher than normal, which is considered positive. In the study of the frequency distribution of anti-toxoplasma IgM antibody by ELISA method in urban people and livestock farmers, 36 positive cases and 64 negative cases were observed out of 100 people, and15 out of 50 urban people (i.e., 30% of urban people) had IgM titer higher than normal. Moreover, an examination of 21 people out of 50 livestock farmers (42%) indicated higher than normal IgM titers.
Conclusion: This study indicated that IgG and IgM antibody titers are higher in livestock farmers than in urban residents, and this suggests a relationship between occupation and toxoplasma infection. Therefore, the need is raised for extensive research at the national level to reduce the disease in livestock farmers and urban residents.