Open AccessPotential linkage between Toxoplasma gondii infection and physical education scores of college students
Author(s) -
Jun Cai,
Sheng Zhi-jin,
Yu Jin,
Yinan Du,
Xinlei Yan,
Yong Yao
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0241653
Subject(s) - toxoplasma gondii , seroprevalence , toxoplasmosis , biology , immunology , medicine , serology , antibody
Objective Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide protozoan parasite that could infect virtually all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence of T . gondii infection in college students at Anhui province, China and to assess risk factors for T . gondii infection in college students. Moreover, growing studies demonstrated the association between T . gondii infection and host behavioral changes. We also studied the linkage between T . gondii and physical education (PE) scores of college students. Methods A total of 2704 serum samples of medical school students attending physical education lessons were collected from September 2017 to September 2019 and evaluated for T . gondii IgG antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Questionnaires and statistical analysis were used to determine the risk factors for T . gondii infection. We also analysed PE scores of T . gondii -infected students and T . gondii -uninfected students. Results The overall seroprevalence of T . gondii was 11.5%. The main risk factors related to T . gondii infection in college students were cat in the household and gardening or agriculture activity. Furthermore, in the basketball group and the soccer group, scores of T . gondii seropositive students were significantly higher than those of seronegative students, while in other sports there was no difference between scores of T . gondii -infected students and T . gondii uninfected students. Conclusion This is the first report of T . gondii seroprevalence in college students in Anhui province, China.