Seroprevalence of human toxoplasmosis in southern Punjab,Pakistan

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by toxoplasma gondii which affects various species of mammals and birds. the infection produces a wide range of clinical syndromes in human beings. this disease causes blindness and mental retardation in congenitally infected children. the objective of present study was to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasma (t.) gondii in southern punjab. five hundred and fifty random samples of humans were collected. out of 550 hosts,162 were infected with t. gondii. the overall seroprevalence of t. gondii was 29.45%. relationship between sex and t. gondii revealed a significant difference between genders. the males showed higher (35.89%) seroprevalence as compared to females (25.9%). relationship between age and t. gondii showed that the parasite had highest (p<0.05) prevalence (57.14%) in age group of 1-10 years and lowest (29.41%) in age group of 61-70 years. in conclusion,the overall seroprevalence rate of toxoplasmosis was 29.45% in southern areas of punjab. its prevalence decreases as the age of host increases and gender showed significant difference with higher seroprevalence in men as compared to women.