Many parasitic diseases can be transmitted by blood transfusion. Among the protozoal diseases transmitted by blood transfusion in India, the most important is malaria followed by toxoplasmosis. Screening for malaria is mandatory in India. Seroprevalence rates in the general population in India vary from a low of 1% to a high of 57 %. Aim of the study is to estimate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies in healthy voluntary blood donors in a tertiary care hospital in and around Salem. This Cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology over a period of 3 months (March-May 18). Healthy voluntary blood donors from blood donation camps conducted at different centres in and around Salem, TamilNadu. The samples which were collected from healthy donors screened for Toxoplasma specific IgG antibodies by ELISA using commercially available kits (Merilisa, Meril Diagnostics). In the total of 180 samples which were tested for Toxoplasma IgG antibodies, the total number of serum positive samples were 40 () by ELISA. which is more common in the age group 31-40yrs. 12 () followed by 21- 30 yrs 14 ()). In the present study, most of the participants were living in Uran areas (75%), blood group A&O (30%) followed by B (25%) and most of them were nonvegetarians (75%). Toxoplasma is one of the most important congenitally transmitted infection. To ensure availability of toxoplasma seronegative blood for transfusion, a national policy of screening of blood and blood products for toxoplasma may need to be included along with other mandatory screening tests. | Seroprevalence of igg antibodies of Toxoplasma in healthy voluntary blood donors in a Tertiary care Hospital
