Seroprevalence of Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies Among Pregnant Woman in South Khuzestan, Iran

Abstract

Background:Acute toxoplasmosis may lead to congenital toxoplasmosis with fetal complications outcome during pregnancy. Anti- Toxoplasma gondii antibody seroprevalence is unclear in pregnant women of south of Khuzestan province, since limited data about T. gondii seroepidemiology has been published in pregnant women of this area (Abadan, Shadegan, Khoramshar).Objectives:The aim of this study was to clarify the status of T. gondii seroprevalence in pregnant women of south of Khuzestan province.Materials and Methods:In this cross-sectional study, 501 full-term pregnant women were included. This study was carried out in Taleghani teaching hospital for six 6 months from May to October 2011. Informed consents signed by the patients were obtained. Blood IgG and IgM were measured using ELISA technique. The data was analyzed by SPSS 13 (Chicago, IL, USA). Chi-square test was used for comparison.Results:The participants’ age range was 15 to 45 years (average: 27.4 ± 13). Of the 501 pregnant women, 70.65 % (n = 354) were seronegative for T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. There were statistical relationships between IgG seroprevalence and age, as well as IgG seroprevalence and cat holding.Conclusions:There was high percentage of seronegative (70.65 %) IgG and IgM antibodies in full-term pregnant women. They were susceptible to acute toxoplasmosis; thus, prenatal screening was recommend in our province after cost-beneficial analyses.

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in a representative Australian human population: The Busselton health study

“…29,30 Although the lack of an association of cat ownership may be surprising, due to the cat family being biologically essential to the life cycle of T. gondii as the only definitive hosts, contact with cats appears to be a less important risk factor when compared to other well established risk factors such as contact with contaminated foods. 20 While data from other studies support cat contact as a risk factor, [31][32][33] prevention of T. gondii infection via cat exposure may be possible as cats only shed oocysts for up to three periods in a lifetime. In addition, oocyst sporulation can be avoided by regular removal of cat litter.…”

Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in diabetic pregnant women in southwestern of Iran

“…The prevalence of toxoplasmosis is 29.35 % in pregnant women in Khuzestan (Yad et al 2014). Toxoplasmosis in pregnant women causes miscarriage, microcephaly, hydrocephalus and severe neurological disorders in fetus.…”

“…For example, the prevalence rate of T. gondii in pregnant women in Portugal is 59.8 % and in pregnant women in Turkey (52.1 %) (Ocak et al 2007;Varella et al 2003). In addition, this coccidian protozoan is widely distributed in Iran and the prevalence rate in Khuzestan ranged from 21.5 to 47.25 % (Daryani et al 2014;Khademvatan et al 2013;Saki et al 2013Saki et al , 2015Soltani et al 2013;Yad et al 2014). It seems that the oocytes excreted by cats find the opportunity to become infectious due to its warm-humid seasons in khuzestan (Khademvatan et al 2014).…”

Seroprevalence of Anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM among Pregnant Women of Shush County, Southwest of Iran

“…In this case, the disease severity has a late-onset in infants and usually is asymptomatic at birth and eye symptoms may appear years later (7). The prevalence of the parasite among pregnant women has been reported in America (31.7%), Sudan (34.1%), Austria (35%), Senegal (40.2%), Colombia (45.8%), and Paris (83%) (8). In addition, in various regions of Iran, for example, Tabriz, Khorram-Abad, and Kashan, the prevalence has been 21.6%, 31%, and 50.8%, respectively (9-11).…”