*Corresponding author: E-mail: hzakai@kau.edu.sa; T: +966 0554334116; F: +966 12 6404065. Journal of Advanced Laboratory Research in Biology E-ISSN: 0976-7614 Volume 6, Issue 3, 2015 PP 68-71 https:/ / e-journal.sospublication.co.in Original Article Seropositivity and awareness of Toxoplasmosis among University students Ebtesam M. Alshehri 1 , Eman O. Atorje 1 , Lujain F. Basaeed 1 , Wejdan M. Assiri 1 , Refaat I. Elfayoumi 1 , Amani M. Talaky 2 & Haytham A. Zakai 1* 1 Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box-80324, Jeddah-21589, Saudi Arabia. 2 Department of Dermatology, King Fahad General Hospital, Jeddah-21533, P.O. Box-55505, Saudi Arabia. Abstract: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that is infecting about one-third of the world population. Awareness about toxoplasmosis and its transmission can help reduce its prevalence. We examined the degree of awareness about toxoplasmosis among female university students. A total of 127 samples were collected, including 44 samples from health colleges students and 83 samples from other colleges. A questionnaire was used to measure the level of awareness about Toxoplasma gondii. Serum samples were analyzed for the presence of anti- Toxoplasma gondii antibody using ELISA technique. Ninety-four (74%) participants were 18-20 years, 27 (21%) were 21-24 years, and 6 (5%) were above 24 years. Only 11 (9%) students eat raw meat and 21 (17%) students had a tendency to eat undercooked meat. Furthermore, only 6 (5%) students received blood transfusion and 33 (26%) students owned a cat at home. Forty-two (33%) students answered that they know about the disease. The majority of participants (n=121, 95%) used bottled water as a source of drinking water. Among the 127 samples collected, only 6 (4.7%) had IgG anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibody. There was statistically significant positive correlation between the level of awareness about toxoplasmosis and the participant's answers about previous knowledge about the disease and a statistically significant negative correlation between the level of awareness about toxoplasmosis and the student's faculty. We recommend that this study is repeated with a larger sample size and a modified questionnaire to include more detailed questions to reveal the true level of awareness. Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, awareness, prevalence, Jeddah. 1. Introduction Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that is infecting about one-third of the world population [1-3]. Infection with this parasite is acquired either prenatal or postnatal. Postnatally acquired toxoplasmosis is usually asymptomatic. However, clinical disease is greatly confined to risk groups, including infants and immunocompromised individuals. Congenital toxoplasmosis is seen in cases of the mother acquiring the infection for the first time during pregnancy. The incident of prenatal toxoplasmosis is estimated to vary from 1 to 100 per 10.000 births. Toxoplasmic encephalitis and disseminated toxoplasmosis have been reported in immunocompromised patients [2]. If the mother acquired the infection during the first trimester the risk of fetal infection is 25%, and the risk increases to 65% if the infection is during the second trimester, while the mother has only temporary parasitaemia without any symptoms. The fetus becomes infected when focal lesions develop into the placenta. That infection can cause a wide spectrum of clinical disease either mild or severe such as slightly diminished vision or retinochoroiditis, hydrocephalus, convulsion and intracerebral calcification due to the localization of the infection in the central nerves. Congenital toxoplasmosis may cause abortion, neonatal death, or fetal abnormalities with detrimental consequences for the fetus. It may also significantly reduce the quality of life in children who survive a prenatal infection [3]. Level of seroprevalence for toxoplasmosis ranged from 8-77% worldwide. High seroprevalence for toxoplasmosis has been reported among pregnant women and women of childbearing age from different parts of the world, including the Middle East [2,4]. The prevalence of infection in Saudi Arabia showed wide variations as revealed by previous studies. The highest