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May 7, 2026Epidemiologia0 citationsOpen Access

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Veterinary Medicine Professionals and Students in Aguascalientes, Mexico

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IVIsabel De Velasco-ReyesUniversidad Tecnológica de AguascalientesSTSaúl Emmanuel Torres-GarcíaUniversidad Tecnológica de AguascalientesJHJosé de Jesús Hernández-RangelAutonomous University of Aguascalientes

Key Points

  • To document the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in veterinary professionals and students in Aguascalientes, Mexico.
  • Cross-sectional study design
  • Sample included 153 individuals: 70 veterinarians and 83 veterinary students
  • Serum samples analyzed using ELISA for T. gondii-specific IgG
  • Sociodemographic data and contact with cats collected via questionnaire
  • Overall seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies was 7.8%
  • Veterinarians had a seroprevalence of 11.4% and students had 4.8%
  • No significant differences between the two groups (p = 0.22)
  • Consumption of raw/undercooked meat significantly associated with seropositivity (p = 0.002)

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Toxoplasmosis is a globally distributed parasitic zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae), an obligate intracellular protozoan with an indirect life cycle in which domestic cats and wild felids serve as definitive hosts, whereas humans and a broad range of domestic and wild animals act as intermediate hosts. The objective of the study was to document the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in professionals and students of Veterinary Medicine in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Methods: The study included 153 clinically healthy individuals from two population segments: Veterinarians (70) and Veterinary Medicine Students (83). Serum samples were analyzed using a commercial ELISA test to determine the presence of T. gondii-specific IgG. A questionnaire was applied to collect sociodemographic information and information about contact with cats. Results: The overall prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in the study population was 7.8% (12/153; CI 95% 4.3–13.6). In the group of Veterinarians, the seroprevalence was 11.4% (8/70; CI 95% 5.4–21.8), while in the group of students it was 4.8% (4/83; CI 95% 1.5–12.5), with no differences observed between them (p = 0.22). Association was found with those who consume raw/undercooked meat (p = 0.002). Conclusions: In this cross-sectional sample of veterinary professionals and students in Aguascalientes, anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalence was 7.8%, with no statistically significant difference between occupational groups. Consumption of raw or undercooked meat was the only exposure significantly associated with seropositivity.

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Cite This Study

Velasco-Reyes et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69fbefc0164b5133a91a3c26https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia7030061
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