Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Veterinary Medicine Professionals and Students in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVES

Toxoplasmosis is a globally distributed parasitic zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae), an obligate intracellular protozoan with an indirect life cycle in which domestic cats and wild felids serve as definitive hosts, whereas humans and a broad range of domestic and wild animals act as intermediate hosts. The objective of the study was to document the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in professionals and students of Veterinary Medicine in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

METHODS

The study included 153 clinically healthy individuals from two population segments: Veterinarians (70) and Veterinary Medicine Students (83). Serum samples were analyzed using a commercial ELISA test to determine the presence of T. gondii-specific IgG. A questionnaire was applied to collect sociodemographic information and information about contact with cats.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in the study population was 7.8% (12/153; CI 95% 4.3-13.6). In the group of Veterinarians, the seroprevalence was 11.4% (8/70; CI 95% 5.4-21.8), while in the group of students it was 4.8% (4/83; CI 95% 1.5-12.5), with no differences observed between them (p = 0.22). Association was found with those who consume raw/undercooked meat (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

In this cross-sectional sample of veterinary professionals and students in Aguascalientes, anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalence was 7.8%, with no statistically significant difference between occupational groups. Consumption of raw or undercooked meat was the only exposure significantly associated with seropositivity.