scholarly journals Detection of Acute and Chronic Toxoplasma gondii Infection among Women with History of Abortion in the Southwest of Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Jasem Saki ◽  
Maryam Zamanpour ◽  
Mahin Najafian ◽  
Niloofar Mohammadpour ◽  
Masoud Foroutan
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Umbilical Cord ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
High Avidity ◽  
Normal Delivery ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Igg Avidity ◽  
Avidity Test ◽  
History Of

Background. Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is one of the most common intracellular protozoan parasites, which can infect humans and a wide range of mammals and birds. The current study is aimed at investigating the occurrence of T. gondii infection in women with a history of abortion in Khuzestan, Iran. Materials and Methods. A total of 480 women with an abortion history, as well as 200 pregnant women with a normal delivery, were examined in this study. The blood, placenta, and umbilical cord blood samples were assessed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Results. Based on the results of ELISA assay, the prevalence of toxoplasmosis was 30.83% in women with a history of abortion (25.62% with T. gondii IgG and 5.20% with T. gondii IgM). According to the IgG avidity test, 60.16% of IgG-positive samples showed high avidity, while 27.64% showed low avidity. On the other hand, the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in women with a normal delivery was 23% (21.5% with T. gondii IgG and 1.5% with T. gondii IgM). According to the IgG avidity test, 81.39% of these women showed high avidity, while only 4.65% showed low avidity. Based on the nested-PCR method, T. gondii DNA was detected in 14.18% of blood samples, 4.69% of placental samples, and 1.34% of umbilical cord samples, collected from 148 seropositive women with a history of abortion. Besides, using this method, the parasite DNA was identified in 4.34% of blood samples, collected from 46 seropositive women with a normal delivery, but not in any of the umbilical cord or placenta samples. Conclusion. The present results showed that T. gondii infection contributes to abortion in Khuzestan Province, Iran. Therefore, it is essential to investigate toxoplasmosis in pregnant women, especially in those who are seronegative, using molecular and serological methods and inform them about their disease and the associated risks.

scholarly journals Toxoplasmosis and pregnancy: Perinatal results and association of the IgG avidity test with congenital infection in pregnant women with positive anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgM [Abstract in English]

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Virgílio Gonçalves de Souza-Júnior ◽  
Ernesto Antonio Figueiró-Filho ◽  
Danilo De Cerqueira Borges ◽  
Vanessa Marcon Oliveira ◽  
Lílian Rezende Coelho
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Congenital Infection ◽  
Neonatal Infection ◽  
High Avidity ◽  
Igg Avidity ◽  
Risk Pregnancy ◽  
Avidity Test ◽  
Acute Toxoplasmosis

AIMS: To verify the perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with acute toxoplasmosis, and to determine if there was association between the results of Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG avidity test and the presence or absence of fetal/neonatal infection. METHODS: A cross-sectional study included pregnant women with serological diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis (presenting a positive Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgM test) attended at the outpatient unit for high-risk pregnancy of the Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, in the period from November 2002 to November 2007. Test results demonstrating IgG avidity index above 30% were considered high avidity, while values below 30% were considered low avidity. Fetal and/or neonatal infection was defined by positive result for the polymerase chain reaction in amniotic fluid, or by a positive Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgM test in the newborn's serum. RESULTS: Considering all pregnant women referred to the outpatient unit for high-risk pregnancy in the period of study, frequency of pregnant women with positive Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgM was 10.8% (176/1.634). The rate of congenital infection in these patients was 4% (7/176). The IgG avidity test was performed in 162 patients (92% of the 176 pregnant women with positive IgM), and the avidity was high in 144 (88.9%). There was an association (p=0.003) between high avidity and no fetal/neonatal toxoplasmosis in our sample, with a prevalence ratio of 13.4 (confidence interval [CI] 95% 2.2-86.6). The positive predictive value of the avidity test (probability of congenital infection with a low avidity) was 22% (95% 6%-47%), while the negative predictive value (probability of absence of congenital infection with a high avidity) was 98% (95% CI 94% -99%). CONCLUSIONS: In this study the rate of congenital infection in pregnant women diagnosed with acute toxoplasmosis was 4%. In pregnant women with positive Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgM, results of Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG avidity test were associated with the presence or absence of congenital infection, with a high negative predictive value (no fetal/neonatal infection when avidity was high).

scholarly journals Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence among pregnant women in Rabat, Morocco

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Majda Laboudi ◽  
Zoubida Taghy ◽  
Oussama Duieb ◽  
François Peyron ◽  
Abderrahim Sadak
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Seroprevalence Rate ◽  
Recent Infection ◽  
Igg Avidity ◽  
Avidity Test

Abstract Background Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by a protozoan parasite named Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii). Pregnant women are considered one of the risk groups. The objective of this retrospective study is to provide an updated estimate of the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies among a group of Moroccan pregnant women monitored at the Parasitology Laboratory of the National Institute of Hygiene in Rabat in Morocco. Methods Serum samples were tested for the presence of specific anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anti-Toxoplasma IgM- and IgG-positive cases were also evaluated with the anti-Toxoplasma IgG avidity test. All cases were evaluated according to the age, parity, and historical of abortion. Results Among 677 pregnant women, 94.1% (637/677) were serologically screened for the first time and therefore had no knowledge of their serological status, and only 5.9% (40/677) were screened for the second or third time. The overall anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM seropositivity among the 637 pregnant women included in the study analysis was 43% (274/637) and 3.9% (25/637), respectively. The use of the IgG avidity test allowed excluding recent infection among 83% of cases with IgG and IgM positive sera. The mean age was 29.4 ± 6.3 years. The result of the bivariate analysis revealed that the age influenced significantly the seroprevalence rate, while the parity and the existence of previous spontaneous abortion did not have any significant statistical correlation with seropositivity to T. gondii. Conclusion This study shows that 43% of pregnant women were positive and 57% of them had no antibody against the T. gondii infection. However, the pregnancy follow-up and the counseling of pregnant women remain essential for the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis.

scholarly journals Toxoplasma gondii specific IgG avidity assay: Role and implication in the confirmatory diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis in seropositive pregnant women

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
Chowdhury Rafia Naheen ◽  
Shirin Tarafder ◽  
Humayun Sattar ◽  
Shafinaz Khan
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
High Avidity ◽  
Past Infection ◽  
Congenital Transmission ◽  
Avidity Assay ◽  
Igg Avidity ◽  
Avidity Test ◽  
Specific Igg

<p>This study was undertaken to apply<em> Toxoplasma gondii</em> specific IgG avidity test in seropositive pregnant women to differentiate acute and past infection. <em>T. gondii</em> specific IgG avidity test was conducted in 39 seropositive pregnant women and their pregnancy outcomes were observed later on. Out of 39 <em>T. gondii</em> seropositive pregnant women 33 (84%) were only IgG positive and 6 (15.4%) were both IgG-IgM positive. All the IgG positive cases (100%) and 2(33.3%) IgG-IgM positive cases had high avidity antibodies and they gave birth to healthy babies. Rest of the 4 (66.7%) IgG-IgM positive women had low avidity and 50% of them had abortion and 50% gave birth to unhealthy babies. This reveals that the seropositive mothers having high IgG avidity had past infection and no risk of congenital transmission. Seropositive mothers having low IgG avidity had acute infection and so congenital transmission occurred. Presence of<em> T. gondii</em> specific IgG and IgM antibody does not indicate acute infection always. IgG-IgM positive pregnant women should be further evaluated by IgG avidity assay to confirm acute infection.</p><p> </p>

scholarly journals Comparison of Four Commercially Available Avidity Tests for Toxoplasma gondii-Specific IgG Antibodies

2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Villard ◽  
L. Breit ◽  
B. Cimon ◽  
J. Franck ◽  
H. Fricker-Hidalgo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Latent Infection ◽  
High Avidity ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Initial Testing ◽  
Igg Avidity ◽  
Avidity Test

ABSTRACTToxoplasmainfection in pregnant women may cause congenital toxoplasmosis. Diagnosis of infection is based on serological tests aimed at detecting IgM and IgG antibodies againstToxoplasma gondii. However, IgM antibodies are not an accurate marker for discriminating between acute and latent infection. Detection of residual or persistent IgM may occur months or even years after primary infection, while the IgG avidity test is a rapid means of identifying latent infections in pregnant women who exhibit both IgG and IgM anti-Toxoplasmaantibodies on initial testing during pregnancy. In this study, we assessed and compared the performances of four commercially availableToxoplasmaIgG avidity tests in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients with acute and latent toxoplasmosis. The positive predictive value of high avidity to confirm latent toxoplasmosis was 100% for all the assays, indicating that high avidity is a hallmark of latent infection. However, the negative predictive value of high avidity ranged from 99.2% (bioMérieux) to 95.3% (Abbott), indicating that acute toxoplasmosis could not be reliably diagnosed based on low IgG avidity alone. Thus, the avidity test provides a rapid means for identifying latentToxoplasmainfection in immunocompetent pregnant women presenting both IgG and IgM anti-Toxoplasmaantibodies on initial testing. In terms of cost-effectiveness, avidity testing is a powerful tool that optimizes screening and follow-up of pregnant women while minimizing the costs of screening by avoiding subsequent costly maternal and fetal investigation and unnecessary treatment. The cheapest assay, Vidas Toxo IgG Avidity, also had the best performance for the diagnosis of latent toxoplasmosis.

scholarly journals Immunoglobulin G Avidity in Diagnosis of Toxoplasmic Lymphadenopathy and Ocular Toxoplasmosis

1999 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 514-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malgorzata Paul
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Immunoglobulin G ◽  
Large Range ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Ocular Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Ocular Infection ◽  
High Avidity ◽  
Igg Avidity

ABSTRACT Traditional serological techniques have some limitations in evaluating the duration of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women, patients with lymphadenopathy, and older children suspected of having congenital toxoplasmosis. In these three groups of patients, two variants of T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) avidity tests were used: an EIA Kit (Labsystems) and a noncommercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay specially elaborated in the laboratory. The avidity of specific IgG in sera from 23 patients with a known recently acquired infection (mainly pregnant women) was low (less than 30%), whereas that in sera from 19 patients with toxoplasmic lymphadenopathy of 3 weeks to 6 months in duration (mean, 8.3 weeks) covered a large range (between 0.2 and 57.8%; mean, 25.7%); high avidity results were observed for 10 of 19 patients (52.6%). The large range of IgG avidity in patients with toxoplasmic lymphadenopathy suggests various durations of infection in these patients, with a tendency for a chronic phase of toxoplasmosis. According to the avidity marker, five patients with lymphadenopathy for less than 3 months did not have a recent Toxoplasma infection. In 6 of 19 patients with lymphadenopathy (31.6%), low IgG avidity values persisted until 5 months after the first serological examination. In all four patients with a documented chronic course of Toxoplasma infection (6 months to 8 years after the first positive serology), high IgG avidity values were observed. Among sera from 10 children and young immunocompetent adults suspected of having ocular reactivation of congenital toxoplasmosis, all had high IgG avidity values (over 40%), suggesting congenitally acquired ocular infection rather than noncongenital infection. In conclusion, the avidity of IgG is a valuable marker of recent toxoplasmosis in pregnant women, suggests the duration of invasion in patients with lymphadenopathy, and may be helpful for differentiation between reactivation of congenital infection and recently acquired ocular toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent patients. A low IgG avidity does not always identify a recent case of toxoplasmosis, but a high IgG avidity can exclude primary infections of less than 5 months’ duration.

scholarly journals IgG Avidity in Samples Collected on Filter Paper: Importance of The Early Diagnosis of Congenital Toxoplasmosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (12) ◽  
pp. 887-893
Author(s):  
Jéssica Yonara de Souza ◽  
Taynara Cristina Gomes ◽  
Hanstter Hallison Alves Rezende ◽  
Heloisa Ribeiro Storchilo ◽  
Patrícia Giffron Rodrigues ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Filter Paper ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
High Avidity ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Prick Test ◽  
Igg Avidity ◽  
Avidity Test

Abstract Objective The purpose of the present study is to standardize and evaluate the use of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody avidity test on blood samples from newborns collected on filter paper to perform the heel test aiming at its implementation in ongoing programs. Methods Blood samples from newborns were collected on filter paper simultaneously with the heel prick test. All samples were subjected to immunoglobulin M IgM and IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Peripheral blood was collected again in the traditional way and on filter paper from newborns with high IgG levels (33). Three types of techniques were performed, the standard for measuring IgG in serum, adapted for filter paper and the technique of IgG avidity in serum and on filter paper. The results of the avidity test were classified according to the Rahbari protocol. Results Among the 177 samples, 17 were collected in duplicate from the same child, 1 of peripheral blood and 1 on filter paper. In this analysis, 1 (5.88%) of the 17 samples collected in duplicate also exhibited low IgG avidity, suggesting congenital infection. In addition, the results obtained from serum and filter paper were in agreement, that is, 16 (94.12%) samples presented high avidity, with 100% agreement between the results obtained from serum and from filter paper. Conclusion The results of the present study indicate that the avidity test may be another valuable method for the diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis in newborns.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women in Windhoek, Namibia, in 2016

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Berta E. Van der Colf ◽  
Gert U. Van Zyl ◽  
Bruce H. Noden ◽  
Dismas Ntirampeba
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Igg Avidity ◽  
Specific Igg

Background: When a pregnant woman contracts Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection during pregnancy, it may be vertically transmitted to the foetus. Information on the incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) in developing countries is scarce. Most studies focus on the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection among pregnant women. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection among pregnant women attending public antenatal care in Windhoek, Namibia, in 2016.Methods: In this descriptive study, 344 urban pregnant women attending public antenatal care were voluntarily enrolled in the study. Seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii Immunoglobulin G (IgG) was determined by automated immunoassay. Samples with a positive T. gondii IgG result were tested for T. gondii Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and specific IgG avidity by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. A questionnaire captured demographic data and exposure to risk factors. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and R.Results: Anti-T. gondii IgG was found in nine (2.61%) pregnant women. There was no association of anti-T. gondii IgG with demographic characteristics or exposure to risk factors.Anti-T. gondii IgM was positive in one (0.3%) woman, while three (0.9%) women had borderline anti-T. gondii IgM results. Specific IgG avidity was low, equivocal and high in 0%, 33% and 67% of seropositive pregnant women, respectively.Conclusion: Seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG is much lower in Namibia than is reported in other developing countries. Investigation into specific IgM seropositivity and IgG avidity showed that pregnant women in the central region of Namibia are at low risk of vertical transmission and development of CT.

scholarly journals Value of immunoglobulin G avidity for primary cytomegalovirus diagnosis in pregnant women compared to nested polymerase chain reaction

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maysaa El Sayed Zaki ◽  
Walaa Othman El Shabrawy
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
High Avidity ◽  
Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Recent Infection ◽  
Igg Avidity ◽  
Avidity Test ◽  
Egyptian Women ◽  
Pcr Method

Primary human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in pregnancy especially in the first term carries high risks to foetus. Diagnosis depends mainly on laboratory tools as clinical diagnosis is non specific. The aim of the present study was to detect recent infection with HCMV in cohort pregnant Egyptian women in the first trimester by serological detection of specific IgM, IgG and IgG avidity test compared to nested PCR method. This study was performed on consecutive pregnant women. Blood samples were obtained and sera were separated from 120 pregnant women in their first trimester of pregnancy and were screened for anti-CMV IgG, IgM and IgG avidity by ELISA and for HCMV-DNA by PCR. Positive IgG for HCMV was 62.5% and positive IgM was 15%. IgG avidity results showed that low, intermediate and high avidity represented 33.3%, 16.7% and 50%, respectively of IgM positive patients and 42.1%, 38.6% and 19.3%, respectively of IgM negative patients. Detection of HCMV DNA by PCR was positive in one of 24 IgM negative/low IgG avidity, in three of 22 IgM negative/intermediate IgG avidity and in all IgM positive/low IgG avidity patients. Confirmatory testing for primary infection with the combined use of IgG avidity with IgM antibody test in pregnant women during the first trimester is an accurate screening tool. The use of PCR as a diagnostic method can be applied to pregnant women with IgM antibodies and low IgG avidity results or in presence of isolated low or intermediate avidity IgG.

scholarly journals Detection of acute Toxoplasma gondii infection in early pregnancy by IgG avidity and PCR analysis

2007 ◽  
Vol 56 (11) ◽  
pp. 1495-1499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamshaid Iqbal ◽  
Nabila Khalid
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Therapeutic Intervention ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
High Avidity ◽  
Past Infection ◽  
Igm Antibodies ◽  
Igg Avidity ◽  
Avidity Test

Acute Toxoplasma gondii infection in early pregnancy carries the risk of transmitting the infection to the fetus with serious sequelae. However, serological testing for IgG/IgM anti-Toxoplasma antibodies may fail to differentiate between a recent and past infection. Two hundred and twenty-four Kuwaiti women in their first trimester were screened for IgG/IgM antibodies by the Vitek Immuno Diagnostic Assay System (VIDAS) and VIDAS IgG-avidity tests. On serological screening, 119 (53.1 %) women were positive for IgG antibodies and 31 (13.8 %) for IgM antibodies. Nine of the IgM-positive and 7 IgM-negative women had low-avidity antibodies. However, the IgG-avidity test detected low-avidity antibodies only in 9 (29 %) of the 31 IgM-positive women, suggesting a recent infection; 19 (61.3 %) women had high-avidity antibodies, indicating that the infection was acquired in the distant past. Based on IgM serology alone, at least 31 IgM-positive women may have been wrongly labelled as having acute Toxoplasma infection thus warranting appropriate therapeutic intervention. All the 19 IgM-positive women with high-avidity antibodies were confirmed negative for Toxoplasma DNA on PCR analysis. Compared with PCR analysis, the VIDAS avidity test was a helpful tool for the diagnosis of recent Toxoplasma infection in IgM-negative women with low-avidity antibodies and IgM-positive women with high-avidity antibodies; the specificity was >85 –100 %. It is concluded that the VIDAS avidity test when used in combination with VIDAS IgG/IgM tests is a valuable assay for the exclusion of ongoing or recently acquired T. gondii infection in pregnant women in their first trimester and that it decreases significantly the necessity for follow-up testing and unnecessary therapeutic intervention.

scholarly journals Anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in pregnant women and their newborn infants in the region of São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil

2011 ◽  
Vol 129 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cinara de Cássia Brandão de Mattos ◽  
Lígia Cosentino Junqueira Franco Spegiorin ◽  
Cristina da Silva Meira ◽  
Thaís da Costa Silva ◽  
Ana Iara da Costa Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Newborn Infants ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Igm Antibodies ◽  
Igg Avidity

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Toxoplasmosis transmission during pregnancy can cause severe sequelae in fetuses and newborns. Maternal antibodies may be indicators of risk or immunity. The aim here was to evaluate seropositivity for anti-Toxoplasma gondii (anti-T. gondii) immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and IgG avidity in pregnant women and their newborn infants. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in a high-risk pregnancy outpatient clinic. METHODS: Serum samples from pregnant women (n = 87) and their respective newborns (n = 87) were evaluated for anti-T. gondii antibodies using indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) (IgM and IgG), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (IgG) and an avidity test. RESULTS: Anti-T. gondii antibodies were identified in 64.4% of the serum samples from the mothers and their infants (56/87). Except for two maternal serum samples (2.3%), all others were negative for anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies, using IIF. The results showed that 92.9% of the pregnant women had high IgG avidity indexes (> 30%) and four samples had avidity indexes between 16 and 30%. Two women in the third trimester of pregnancy were positive for anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies; their babies had avidity indexes between 16 and 30%. The avidity indexes of serum from the other 83 newborns were similar to the results from their mothers. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that 2% of the pregnant women were at risk of T. gondii transmission during the gestational period. These data seem to reflect the real situation of gestational toxoplasmosis in the northwestern region of the state of São Paulo.

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