Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM among butchers in southwest of Iran

Objective To test for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies in butchers in the province of Khuzestan in Iran and compare them with a control group from the general population. Methods Blood samples were taken from 110 butchers in five cities of Khuzestan, southwest of Iran to test for the incidence of Toxoplasma . The participants were accepted and tested on the basis of age, work experience, engagement in animal husbandry, and positive or negative Toxoplasma IgM and IgG results. Results The results showed that the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma IgG was 41.8% (56 cases) among the group of butchers in Khuzestan and 28.8% in the control group. The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma IgM was 1 case (2.2%) among butchers, while none in the control group. Conclusions A comparison of results indicated that butchers in Khuzestan were at the risk of toxoplasmosis. The greatest frequency was 17.6% (20 cases) in the group with age ranging form 35 to 44 years. In terms of work experience, the greatest frequency was 16.5% (18 cases) among butchers having 9–17 years of work experience.