CO-RELATION OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII INFECTION AND COUSIN MARRIAGES

Authors

  • M. Saqib Lodhi
  • M. Aslam Khan
  • Manzoor Ahmed

Abstract

ABSTRACTSera from 735 women of child-bearing age (15-45) years) were tested for the presence ofIgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)technique. Along with other information’s, the respondents were also asked about the relationshipof their parents to each other before marriage. 263 (35.78%) women were seropositive forToxoplasma antibodies. Seropositivity was much higher (48.63%) in the group whose parents werefirst cousins and the rate declined progressively in second cousins (41.46%) distant blood relations(26.82%), same caste (26.63%) and different caste (23.73%). This difference is statistically highlysignificant (P<0.005). The reason for high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection amongwomen whose parents arc first cousins is not clear. Further study in this regard is suggested.

References

McCabe, R.E., Remington, J.S. "Toxoplasmosis". In Marten, K.S., Mahmoud, A.A.F., eds, Geographical and

Tropical Medicine. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York: 1984; 281-292.

Frenkel, J.K., "Toxoplasmosis". In: Strickl and, G.T., cd. Hunter’s Tropical Medicine, 6the edition. W.B. Saunder

Company, Philadelphia, 1984; 593-605.

Wallace, G.D., "Serologic and epidemiologic observations on toxoplasmosis on three Pacific atolls". Am. J.

Epidemiol. 1969; 90: 103-111.

Veins, P., Auger, P., Villeneuve, R., Stefanescu-Soare, I. "Serological survey for congenital toxoplasmosis among

,136 pregnant women”. Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg., 1977; 71: 136-139.

Pechere, J.C., Acar, J., Armeng and, M. et al. "Infections: Recognition, understanding, Treatment". Lea and

Febiger, Philadelphia. 1984; 350-355.

Luft, B.J., Brooks, R.G., Conley, F.K., McCabe, R.E., Remington, J.S. "Toxoplasmic encephalitis in patients with

acquired immune deficiency syndrome". JAMA 19X4; 252: 913-917.

Vieira, J., Frank, D., Spira, T.J., Landes man, S.H. "Acquired immune deficiency in Haitians — Opportunistic

infections in previously healthy Haitian immigrants". N. Engl. J. Med. 1983; 308: 125-129.

Voller, A., Bidwell, D.H., Bartlett, A. (1976 a): "Enzyme immunoassays in diagnostic medicine". Bull, WHO,

; 53: 55-65.

Beattie, C.P. "The ecology of toxoplasmosis". Ecology of Disease, 1982; 1: 13-20.

Feldman, II.A., "Epidemiology of Toxoplasma infections”. Epidemiologic Reviews. 1982; 4: 204-213.

Ruoss, C.F., Bourne, G.L "Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy". J. Obstet. Gynaecol. Br. Commonwealth, 1972; 79:

-1118.

Fikray. M.F., Rifaat, M.A., Sadek, M.S.M., Azab, M.F. The prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies in human

females in the reproductive period at Cairo." J. Egypt Pub. Hith. Assoc. 1980; LV: 23-35.

Basalmah, A.11., Serebour, E.K. "Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy". Saudi Med. J. 1981; 2: 125-130.

Iddrissi, N.G., Lahlou, D., Sefiani, R., Benmira, A. "Toxoplasmosis and rubella among Moroccan women. Results

of serological enquiry". Path. Biol. 1984; 32: 761-765.

Al-Nakib, W., Ibrahim, M.E.A., Hathout 11. el al. "Sero-epidemiology of viral and toxoplasmal infections during

pregnancy among Arab women of child-bearing age in Kuwait", lnt. J. Epidemiol. 1983; 12: 220- 223.

Uppal, T.B., Minhas, Z., Mufti, S. "Incidence of toxoplasmosis in Obstetrics". Pakistan J. Med. Res. 1984; 23:

-19.

Yaseen, M., Osmani, R. "Serological study of toxoplasmosis prevalence in human, domestic and small wild

animals". P.M.R.C. Annual Report - 1983-84; 1984; 4-5.

Downloads