Abstract:

The present paper aimed to determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasmosis among pregnant women and domestic carnivores. A Cross sectional study was designed among 262 carnivores (141 cats, and 121 dogs) and 100 women attended antenatal care from August 2011 to February 2012 in health centers of Dakar. Venous blood was collected from each women and domestics carnivores. Sera were tested for anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using modified agglutination test (MAT). Moreover, participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to identify the potential risk factors of Toxoplasmosis. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 52.3±9.7%. Toxoplasmosis was around 53% among women having history of abortion (43%). After analysis of risk factors, only fresh milk consumption predisposes women to be contaminated. In carnivores, the prevalence of infestation was higher in adults than in young animals. Toxoplasmosis prevalence was 55.37±9% in cats with sex and age as risk factors, and 43.97±8% in the dogs with only age as risk factor. These results are therefore a signal to competent health authorities for a better awareness of the real incidence of this disease in Dakar.

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