A Comparative Study of Toxoplasma gondii Infection: Urban versus Rural Areas in Duhok Province

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a condition resulting from the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma Gondii, which can impact the health of humans and animals in various ways.
Aim: This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of T. Gondii in females and to identify the risk factors associated with urban and rural areas within Duhok Province, Kurdistan region of Iraq.
Methods: In this study, 211 females of different ages attended medical laboratories in urban and rural areas of Duhok province from December 2023 to February 2024. Blood samples were used to detect specific anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using serological tests.
Results: In the current study, the total Seropositive toxoplasma antibodies IgG and IgM rate was 31.75% in urban and rural areas, with seropositivity of 3.79% in IgM and 27.96% in IgG. Urban seropositive of anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG was recorded in 1.58% and 23.01%, with rural seropositive of anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG in 7.05% and 35.29% respectively. Regarding the age groups, high seropositivity of IgM and IgG in urban areas was recorded in the age group of 20 years, whereas in rural areas, the high IgM and IgG seropositive were shown respectively in the age groups of 21-30 and 31-40 years.
Conclusion: Based on the study's findings, we can conclude that factors like stray cats, increased contact with contaminated soil, farming, caring for cattle or hens, dietary and culinary practices, and personal cleanliness are all responsible for the higher frequency of infection in rural areas.