Document Type
Article (Restricted)
Publication Date
1-1-2011
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is an important parasitic disease in immunosuppressed patients. This prospective study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence, associated risk factors and the incidence of clinically confirmed toxoplasmosis among renal patients at the University of Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We interviewed 247 renal patients, each of whom answered an epidemiological questionnaire, and collected blood samples for measurement of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies by ELISA. Overall seroprevalence of latent toxoplasmosis was observed in 126 (51) renal patients. Race (Malays), marital status (married) and primary level of education, were all factors associated with a greater chance of Toxoplasma infection. A case of clinically confirned toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in a renal transplant recipient as a result of immunosuppression. Based on the findings obtained, this preliminary study shows a high prevalence of latent toxoplasmosis in renal patients. Risk factors may have significantly contributed to Toxoplasma acquisition in these patients. We recommend further studies be carried out to monitor for trends in toxoplasmosis among immunosuppressed patients.
Keywords
Adult Age Factors Aged Aged, 80 and over Animals Antibodies/blood Blood Transfusion/adverse effects Cats Continental Population Groups Cooking Cross-Sectional Studies Eating Educational Status Female Humans Kidney Failure, Chronic/*complications Malaysia/epidemiology Male Marital Status Meat/parasitology Middle Aged Prevalence Prospective Studies Risk Factors Seroepidemiologic Studies Toxoplasma/isolation & purification Toxoplasmosis/*complications/*epidemiology/parasitology Young Adult
Divisions
fac_med
Publication Title
Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health
Volume
42
Issue
2
Additional Information
Nissapatorn, Veeranoot Leong, Teoh Hoe Lee, Rogan Init-Ithoi Ibrahim, Jamaiah Yen, Tan Si eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Thailand 2011/06/30 06:00 Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2011 Mar;42