Evaluating the risk factors and seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii) in people living in Hawaii 2396

Abstract Description Toxoplasmosis is an important global, neglected tropical disease caused by the zoonotic protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. The parasite reproduces in a complex life cycle that involves the interactions among definitive hosts, Felids, many warm-blooded vertebrate animals, including humans, and the environment. The parasite is transmitted to hosts through consumption of under cooked raw meat with tissue cysts and/or contaminated foods and water with oocysts. Toxoplasmosis has a range of clinical manifestations from asymptomatic or mild, self-limiting symptoms to severe, debilitating disease. In Hawaii, there is substantial literature that reports high morbidity and mortality of toxoplasmosis in diverse animal species, which includes but is not limited to marine wildlife and native birds. However, there is no current data on risk factors and seroprevalence of T. gondii in human populations in the state. With this gap of information, this preliminary study evaluates the risk factors and seroprevalence associated with T. gondii exposure in people in Hawaii through questionnaires and the MagPix Luminex Multiplex assay for IgG antibody detection against T. gondii antigens, respectively. The study reveals specific risk factors associated with T. gondii exposure and a seropositive rate for a subset of 100 Hawaii residents. Overall, these research findings aim to develop and improve early screening tests to prevent and combat toxoplasmosis in humans living in Hawaii. Funding Sources Supported by MedRes_2024_00006495 Medical Research Grant: The Victoria S & Bradley L. Geist Foundation, Hawaii Community Foundation Topic Categories Microbial, Parasitic, and Fungal Immunology (MPF)