Introduction:

Toxoplasmosis is a broadly distributed zoonosis. One third of the world population has anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. The main sources of infection in humans are the oral route, i.e. the intake of contaminated food or water, mother-to-fetus transmission, the hematogenous route, organ transplantation and contaminated blood transfusions. Toxoplasma gondii has been shown to circulate in the western region of Cuba.

Objective:

The purpose of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among blood donors from Cuba's eastern region.

Methods:

Serum samples from 3 365 blood donors were evaluated prior informed consent. Indirect immunofluorescence technique was used to detect antibodies against the study parasite.

Results:

Positivity for Toxoplasma gondii was 38.4 %, i.e. 1 292 positive samples among the study donors. Seropositivity was higher in the rural area than in the urban area, and no relationship was found between seroprevalence, age and sex.

Conclusions: Exposure and circulation of the parasite were shown to occur in the study region. It is recommended that blood donations are certified for Toxoplasma gondii before use.

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