Survey study on toxoplasmosis among Kirkuk university students

Toxoplasma the cat transmitted parasite, is a major health problem and can infect human at any ages of life time. University students are very important part of the community, therefore the aim of the study was to screen for anti-Toxoplasma antibody among Kirkuk university student, because latent Toxoplasma can led to hormonal disturbance, self-violence and schizophrenia. For this purpose, one hundred and ninety serum samples were collected from Kirkuk University students. Serum samples were examined for Toxoplasma gondii antibody by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The overall incidence of Toxoplasma was 21.5%, with an equal rate (11%) for both IgG and IgM antibody. The frequency of the parasite in both male and female were higher in 21-22 years with rate of 20, 32.6% for each of male and female respectively. Some behavior like blood receipting, gardening, eating under cooked meat and keeping cat at residence had positively affected the parasite prevalence. Toxoplasma is prevalent among Kirkuk University student, therefore attention is better to be taken to this important part of the community to grantee a healthy offspring capable of building the country.