Toxoplasma seroprevalence and water source v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An Investigation into Toxoplasma Seroprevalence and Water Source.
IRAS ID
192757
Contact name
Elen Vink
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Lothian
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasitic protozoan found worldwide with an estimated UK seropositivity of 10-40%. Acute infection rates in South East Scotland have anecdotally been noted to be higher than average and this study looks at the possibility of an environmental source of infection. Toxoplasma DNA has been identified in water bodies in Scotland and a seasonality was noted with DNA more often present between August and November. Acute toxoplasma infection seems to show a similar seasonality which may suggest a link. This study aims to assess the association between exposure to Toxoplasma gondii and domestic water supply.
Data from all patients tested for toxoplasma serology in the past 10 years within NHS Lothian will be included in the study. Patient data will be collected retrospectively from the hospital electronic patient records and will include serology result, the clinical reason for testing, and postcode. All patient data will be anonymised.
Anonymised patient data will be divided into three groups dependent on their toxoplasma serology results (i.e. Negative, Past Infection, and Acute Infection) and postcode data will be linked with the water body data already obtained from Scottish Water . Statistical analysis will then be carried out to assess whether there is a significant association between toxoplasma infection and a particular water body.
The second part of this study will be serological analysis of samples from patients with acute toxoplasma infection to differentiate between infections derived from Toxoplasma gondii oocysts or tissue cysts. Infection with oocysts reflects an environmental source whereas infection with tissue cyst reflects infection from undercooked meat.
The original samples will be retrieved from either NHS Lothian storage or the Toxoplasma Reference Laboratory at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness. Patients with acute infection will be contacted for information regarding cat ownership and exposure to raw/undercooked meat around the time of infection.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
16/SS/0228
Date of REC Opinion
21 Mar 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion