Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among babies in Jeddah Province, Saudi Arabia: a retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction: toxoplasmosis is an opportunistic protozoan disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection. It affects all human ages, including children, and can pose serious health problems, particularly in developing countries. Nevertheless, the epidemiological status of neonatal and childhood toxoplasmosis remains largely unknown in Saudi Arabia. The present study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection among Saudi babies residing in Jeddah Region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: this hospital-based retrospective study was conducted between January 2019 and March 2021 at three governmental hospitals in Jeddah Region: King Fahad, King Abdulaziz, and East Jeddah Hospital. It included 502 babies (269 boys and 233 girls; 0-4 years old), who were screened by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies in their serum. Results: among the 502 studied babies, the overall seropositivity rate of T. gondii infection was 18.53% (93/502) subscribed as 90 babies (17.9%) with IgG seropositive and 3 babies (0.60%) with IgM seropositivity. The all IgG seropositive babies were IgM seronegative and vice versa. Additionally, the highest proportion of IgG seropositivity was detected in 0-6 month old babies (7.17%); followed by 5.38% and 4.98% in 7-12 and 13-18 months old babies, respectively, while the 3 babies with IgM seropositivity were 13-18 months old. Conclusion: the present findings highlighted the seroprevalence situation of toxoplasma infection among babies in some Saudi communities and raise the importance to increase the screening programs and preventative implements against toxoplasmosis in Saudi Arabia.