E-Locus - Institutional Repository of the University of Crete

Home Search

Results - Details

Search command : Author="Αντωνίου" And Author="Μαρία"

Current Record: 8 of 33

[Add to Basket]

Identifier

000409394

Title

Διερεύνηση της διασποράς και του επιπολασμού της τοξοπλάσμωσης σε υγιή πληθυσμό νεαρής ηλικίας στην Κύπρο

Alternative Title

Study of the geographical distribution and the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in healthy young females in Cyprus

Author

Λιασίδης, Μάριος

Thesis advisor

Αντωνίου, Μαρία

Reviewer

Κοφτερίδης, Διαμαντής
Γαλανάκης, Εμμανουήλ

Abstract

The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii has a large impact on human and animal health, worldwide. Two groups of people are at high risk for toxoplasmosis: embryos, whose mothers become infected during gestation and immunosuppressed patients. This is the first study of toxoplasmosis in the human population and in small ruminants in Cyprus and the risk factors associated with the infection. Estimated seropositivity in 16-18 year old female students was 6.5% which nearly tripled in women 19-38 years old, placing the embryos at high risk for transplacental transmission and sequelae if their mothers seroconvert during gestation. It was evident from the study that contamination of the environment by Toxoplasma oocysts is huge and oocyst survival is favored by climatic conditions: a big population of free-roaming cats is present; high seropositivity in the rodent (27.9%) and in the sheep and goat (40.1%) populations was recorded. The risk factors for infection of young girls appeared to be rural living and human practices. Health education, especially in the young generation is very important and cost effective for preventing infection and controlling cat and rodent populations will reduce environmental contamination, essential for the elimination of potential threats to public health and animal welfare.

Language

Greek, English

Subject

Female students

High school

Sheep

Κατσίκια

Λύκειο

Νεαρές μαθήτριες

Πρόβατα

Issue date

2017-07-26