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Objective: Toxoplasma gondii infection is primarily asymptomatic and one third of world's population is estimated to be infected by this protozoan parasite. This study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection among pregnant women from north east India, where data on this important parasitic infection is scanty., Methods: A total of 1141 serum archival samples collected from antenatal clinic attendees in 2007-09, were screened for T. gondii IgG by ELISA and analyzed with their socio demographic information., Results: The median age of the subjects were 25 years with an overall IgG seroprevalence of 48% (95% CI=45% to 51%). Seroprevalence was significantly associated with geographical location (p=0.000), among Mongoloids compared to Caucasoid (p=0.005), regular employees (p=0.003) or unskilled labors (p=0.04) compared to housewives, high or middle income group (p=0.003) compared to low income group and with increasing gravida (p=0.04). However on logistic regression analysis, only significant association was with geographical location (p=0.000) and occupation (unskilled labor) (p=0.04). Highest prevalence of 66.7% was noted among subjects with history of blood transfusion and lowest among Rh negative blood group (14.3%)., Conclusions: T. gondii infection prevalence is high among pregnant women living in hilly states of northeast India, which warrants a detail investigation on congenital toxoplasmosis as well as its economic impact.

Aim: To study the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among an isolated tribe of Northeast India that migrated long back from Tibet., Methods and Materials: Randomly selected 438 subjects from Idu Mishmi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), envelope antigen (HBeAg) using ELISA kits., Results: The point prevalence of HBsAg was found to be 21.2% (93/438). Anti-HBc prevalence was 92.3% (193/209). Anti-HBs above 10 IU/ml were detected in 48% (96/200). Prevalence of HBeAg was higher (42.1%, 16/38) in children (less than 15 years) compared to adolescent and adults (32.7%, 18/55). History of hepatitis was significantly associated with positive HBsAg status (p < 0.000)., Conclusion: Hepatitis B virus infection is hyperendemic among Idu Mishmi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Though, the route of transmission could not be ascertained, but the high HBV infection (78.6%) among less than 5 yrs and the finding of 58.4% of HBsAg positive mothers bearing HBsAg positive child indicates possibility of vertical transmission in this setting.