This prospective cross-sectional study was aimed to evaluate
the prevalence of IgM and IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies
and the associated risk factors among healthy blood donors
in Kerman province, south-eastern Iran. Structured questionnaires
(before the donors gave blood) were used to obtain
information on risk factors for infection. Totally, 500 serum
samples from healthy blood donors of Kerman Blood Transfusion
Organization (KBTO) at Kerman, Iran, were
screened for IgG and IgM anti-T. gondii antibodies by
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Roche
Elecsys Toxo IgM assay. Real-time PCR was used to detect
DNA of T. gondii in the IgM-positive samples. Seroprevalence
of IgG and IgM anti-T. gondii antibodies was 28�8%
and 3�2%, respectively. In the multiple logistic regression, it
could be observed that living in rural regions, having B blood
type, being in contact with cats, consuming raw vegetables
and raw milk/egg and doing agricultural activities were independent
risk factors for Toxoplasma seropositivity. T. gondii
DNA was also found in one (9�0%) of IgM-positive
samples. In this study, it was found that T. gondii infection
was present among healthy blood donors in south-east of
Iran. Therefore, it is suggested to design screening
programmes for preventing transfusion-transmitted
toxoplasmosi
