First Report on Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Study in Blood Donors

Aim: To provide the first data on the prevalence and basic demographic risk factors for human Toxoplasma gondii infection in the Banja Luka region, Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). Methods: Analysis of serological and epidemiological data in a series of 320 blood donors (aged 18–55 years) from the Banja Luka region tested for Toxoplasma infection in February 2015. Results: The overall prevalence of infection was 30.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.5–35.6). The risk factors included male gender (odds ratio [OR] = 1.69; 95% CI = 1.02–2.79), increasing age (OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.09–1.72), and living in rural area (OR = 1.83; 95% CI = 1.10–3.05). The prevalence of infection significantly increased with age and was higher in males and in residents of rural areas. Among women, the risk factor was the residence area (OR = 2.39; 95% CI = 1.08–5.30), whereas among men, it was age (OR = 1.45; 95% CI = 1.07–1.95). In the subgroup of women of childbearing age (aged 18–45 years), the prevalence was 22.3% (95% CI = 14.9–29.7). Conclusion: This study provided the first data on the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection in B&H, as well as insight into the demographic risk factors as a basis for a future prevention program for Toxoplasma infection.