ISMJ

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Background: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic diseases caused by an intra cellular protozoan called Toxoplasma gondii. This infection is almost asymptomatic in imunocompetent persons but it is an important disease in immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women. Seroepidemiological survey of Toxoplasmosis in girls before marriage for identifying non immune girls could be used to prevent congenital Toxoplasmosis. Methods: As a cross sectional study to evaluate the IgG and IgM antibodies, 491 student girls were chosen randomly from Bushehr university of medical sciences and persion gulf university. Blood samples were collected and The obtained sera were examined for anti Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies by using ELISA method. Results: Results showed that the prevalence of of Toxoplasmosis IgG and IgM antibodies in student girls was 11.5 and 1.5 percent respectively. 30.8% of students had information about Toxoplasmosis. There was significant correlation between seropositivity of Toxoplasma antibodies and factors such as, area of residency, and food consumption habits, but there was no significant correlation between seropositivity and availability of drinking water, contact with cat and keeping pet. Conclusion: Altough prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies in Bushehr is lower than expected, but it could be correlated with some factors such as: low abundance of stray cats , low consumption of beaf and lamb and lack of optimum temperature for the parasite sporolation in most months during the year. It is recommended to establish the educational and detecting measures to prevent congenital Toxoplasmosis in non immune women.

Keywords: toxoplasmosis, prevalence, ELISA, girl students

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