A serological antibody survey for Toxoplasma gondii in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most prevalent intracellular parasite found in human population. Usually the organism causes mild orasymptomatic infection. However, disease occurs in immunocompromised individuals or when the parasitic load saturates the body’s immune defences. Serological studies establish the frequency of antibodies within a population. The rates of infection are 293%, USA l0-70%, Saudi Arabia 30%, Iran 55%, India 180%, Brazil 72%, Somalia 53%, Canada 41%, Egypt 44% and Taiwan 84%. Prevalence of toxoplasmosis in newborns has been estimated to be as high as one in 486 births. Sixty percent of 125 pregnant women in Mexico tested positive for antibodies. Of these 46.6 percent showed titre greater than 1:1024, a ratio which indicates acute infection. This study reports the frequency of Toxoplasma gondii antibody in two socioeconomically distinct population groups and in-patients suspected of having this disease.