Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Cytomegalovirus IgG Antibodies among Sickle Cell Disease Patients Admitted at Pediatric Department of the Bugando Medical Center, Mwanza, Tanzania

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a life-threatening genetic disorder characterised by chronic hemolytic anaemia, recurrent vascular occlusion and progressive organ damage leading to reduced life expectancy and diminished quality of life. The immune deficiency in patients with SCD predisposes them to heightened susceptibility to serious bacterial, viral and parasitic infections such as Toxoplasma gondii and Cytomegalovirus. Objective: This study aimed to determine the burden of Cytomegalovirus and Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies among sickle cell patients admitted at the pediatric department of the Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania. Methodology: A laboratory-based cross-sectional study involving 92 serum samples (-80°C) with Socio-demographic and other relevant information collected from sickle cell patients between June and August 2023 was used. Toxoplasma gondii and Cytomegalovirus specific IgG antibodies were detected using sandwich ELISA (Commercial ELISA kits, BioRad, USA). Descriptive data analysis was done using STATA version 15 software. Results: The median age was 1[IQR: 1.0 -1.5] years. More than half of the participants were male, 55.4 % (n=51) and were residing in the Mwanza region, 78.3% (n=72). The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Cytomegalovirus IgG-specific antibodies was 28.3% and 19.6%, respectively. Drinking raw milk (p=0.044) and the presence of bilateral edema (p<0.001) were significantly associated with T. gondii infection. Bilateral edema (p<0.001) was also significantly associated with Cytomegalovirus infection. Conclusion and Recommendation: The study reported a low prevalence of toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus infections in this population. More studies with larger sample sizes are needed to show the actual prevalence of these two infections to design better prevention and management guidelines targeting sickle cell patients.