Retrospective Evaluation of the Seropositivity Rate of Toxoplasmosis and Clinical Results in Pregnant Women That were Admitted to a Tertiary Health Institution Between 2012 and 2017 in Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women who were admitted to our hospital in their first trimester and to contribute to screening and management strategies by evaluating clinical outcomes. Methods: In this retrospective study, women in their first trimester of pregnancy who were aged between 15-49 years, admitted to the Mersin University Medical Faculty Gynecology and Obstetrics outpatient clinic between 2012-2017, and screened for Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies were included. The data was obtained from the hospital's digital records. First, the high-risk patients were identified who had anti-T. gondii IgM seropositivity and subsequently underwent anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) and anti-T. gondii IgG avidity tests. Next, the invasive procedures and medical treatments performed for diagnosis and treatment, as well as the clinical course and results for each patient were evaluated. Cases were then analyzed according to the admittance year and patient's age. Results: Anti-T. gondii IgM positivity was found in 266 (7.66%) of 3474 pregnant women meeting the study's criteria. The frequency of the Toxoplasma IgM seropositivity was the highest in the 15-25 age group and this frequency decreased gradually as the age of the patients increased. Congenital toxoplasmosis was detected in 1 of 61 patients who had a positive polymerase chain reaction for T. gondii performed in the amniotic fluid. Conclusion: In our province, the prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgM was found to be 7.66% in pregnant women who were admitted to a tertiary health institution in their first trimester of pregnancy. This rate is much higher than the average in Turkey; therefore, we suggest that routine screening of pregnant women for T. gondii may be recommended in this region.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant population re-visited; changing trends and call for action

“…A recent study performed in Mersin reported high ATI rates of up to 7.6% in pregnant women. This result can be explained by the region's high refugee population, climate characteristics and eating habits (17). without antenatal screening, these cases will remain undiagnosed and untreated (23,24).…”