Prevalence of human toxoplasmosis in District Muzaffargarh, Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasmosis is the disease which affects people worldwide. The disease can be congenital or acquired. It remains generally asymptomatic and proves lethal in the persons with low immunity.

Methods: Serological examinations were carried out from January 2005 to March 2005 at District Head Quarter Hospital, Muzaffargarh. Sample size was 100 including 50 male patients and 50 female patients. Commercially available Latex Agglutination kit was used to detect toxoplasmosis.

Results: Out of 100, only 37 hosts were infected with Toxoplasma gondii with the overall prevalence of 37%. The parasite was more (40%) prevalent in males as compared to (34%) in females. The prevalence of T. gondii was highest (50%) in age group of 32-41 years and the parasite was not found in age group of 2-11 years.

Conclusion: Toxoplasmosis has a high prevalence in Muzaffargarh district of Punjab, Pakistan. There is need to make public awareness in this region