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Toxoplasma gondii, a globally important food borne zoonotic parasite, infects most of the warm-blooded animals as well as people. Veterinarians and para vets are considered at risk of T. gondii exposure. We determined the seroprevalence of T. gondii in veterinary personnel and investigated the associated risk factors in Punjab, India. Two hundred and five blood samples collected from veterinary personnel were tested for the presence of Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies using ELISA. The apparent and true seroprevalence of T. gondii with 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated. Information about participant demographics, and possible routes of exposure was collected using a self-completed questionnaire at the time of blood collection. For risk factor investigation, a veterinary person was considered Toxoplasma seropositive using a combination of tests in parallel, i.e. if it was positive in either IgG or IgM ELISA. A mixed effects logistic regression model was constructed to evaluate the association of demography, occupational and non-occupational factors with Toxoplasma seropositive status. The apparent and estimated true seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies using Toxoplasma IgG ELISA was 8.78% (95% CI 5.63-13.45%) and 7.36% (95% CI 4.04-12.29%), respectively. The apparent and estimated true seroprevalence using Toxoplasma IgM ELISA was 0.49% (95% CI inestimable - 2.71%) and 0.51% (95% CI inestimable - 2.83%), respectively. After adjusting other variables in the final model, consuming mutton and owning a cat were associated with large odds of being Toxoplasma seropositive. In this study occupational exposure does not seem to play an important role for the exposure of T. gondii in veterinary personnel in Punjab state of India. The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in veterinary personnel is comparatively low in occupationally exposed veterinary personnel in Punjab, India. |
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