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 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 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.

Seroprevalence And Risk Factors of Specific Toxoplasma Gondii Antibody among Pregnant Women

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-139
Author(s):  
Ahmed J. Ahmed ◽  
Bayar K. Zeebaree ◽  
Ramadhan A. Khanamir
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Igg Antibody

Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy has an adverse effect on pregnant women, fetus and neonatal. The infection is generally asymptomatic but can cause severe effect on the fetus and immunocompromised women. Control study conducted on 77 pregnant women categorized according to the risk factors influencing toxoplasmosis infection. Specific anti Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM were evaluated using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test kits. Among 77 pregnant women, (57.1%) women had toxoplasmosis, seropositive for latent infection with specific Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were (54.54 %), whereas acute infection immunoglobulin M (IgM) were only in (2.59 %) cases. The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma was higher in older pregnant women (> 60%) than younger ones (<50%). The specific IgG antibody was higher in pregnant women working in farms (65.7 vs 45.23; P=0.053). Also, the seropositive IgG antibody was low in the first trimester and high in rural areas. Pregnant women need to educate more about toxoplasmosis and prevention to exposure in order to reduce the risk of congenital 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 Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG avidity testing in pregnant women

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 1155-1160 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Garnaud ◽  
H. Fricker-Hidalgo ◽  
B. Evengård ◽  
M.J. Álvarez-Martínez ◽  
E. Petersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Igg Avidity ◽  
Specific Igg

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Anti–Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 117863372094887
Author(s):  
Senait Mulugeta ◽  
Abaineh Munshea ◽  
Endalkachew Nibret
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Northwest Ethiopia ◽  
Referral Hospital ◽  
Behavioral Risk Factors ◽  
Behavioral Risk

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes a zoonotic disease called toxoplasmosis. If the infection acquired during pregnancy is not detected and treated early, the parasite can be transmitted transplacentally to the fetus, resulting in congenital toxoplasmosis, which likely leads to serious consequences in the fetus. Toxoplasmosis constitutes a major public health problem particularly in low- and middle-income countries including Ethiopia. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and to assess the potential risk factors of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data on the sociodemographic and potential obstetric and behavioral risk factors were gathered through pretested structured questionnaires, and 3 mL of venous blood was also drawn from each of randomly selected 233 study subjects. The serum samples were separated from the blood samples and tested for anti- Toxoplasma antibody using Toxo-latex slide agglutination test. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between risk factors considered and T gondii infection. Results: The overall prevalence of T gondii infection was 67.8%, indicating a high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the study area. In multivariate analysis, keeping domestic cat at home was found to be the only explanatory variable of toxoplasmosis (adjusted odds ratio = 2.449, 95% confidence interval = 1.183-5.070, P = .016). All sociodemographic variables and most of the potential obstetric and behavioral risk factors were not statistically significant explanatory variables of T gondii infection. Conclusion: The prevalence of toxoplasmosis is high in the study area. Thus, pregnant women should be aware of the potential risk of the disease when keeping cats at home and management of their litter. Inclusion of serologic screening for T gondii infection at antenatal care is warranted for prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis.

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 Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Toxoplasma Gondii Among Pregnant Women in Southwest Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahrzad Soltani ◽  
Ali Dalir Ghaffari ◽  
Mehdi Sagha Kahvaz ◽  
Mohamad Sabaghan ◽  
Marzieh Pashmforosh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Seroprevalence Rate ◽  
Igm Antibodies ◽  
Associated Risk Factors ◽  
Southwest Iran

Background: Acute Toxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy period can cause congenital toxoplasmosis. The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence rate of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies against T. gondii infection during pregnancy and the associated risk factors in southwest Iran. Methods: This study was performed on 88 pregnant women from October to December 2019 in Khorramshahr County, Khuzestan province, Iran. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were tested through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Results: Following serological assays, 38.63% (34/88) and 2.27% (2/88) serum samples were positive for IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. Also, a statistically significant association was observed between IgG seroprevalence and drinking of unpurified water (P = 0.015). Conclusions: The serological evidence revealed that pregnant women of southwest Iran had moderate exposure to T. gondii parasite. Since the risk of acquiring acute toxoplasmosis in pregnant women is clinically important, we highly recommend regular screening tests for T. gondii infection during pregnancy period.

scholarly journals Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies: Prevalence and Risk Factors among Pregnant Women Accessing Antenatal Care in Some Primary Health Centers in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
pp. 9-17
Author(s):  
Ocheme Julius Okojokwu ◽  
Innocent Ajegba Onaji ◽  
Entonu Elijah Entonu ◽  
Bashiru Abubakar ◽  
Maryam Adebayo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Igm Antibody ◽  
Primary Health

Toxoplasma gondii infection causes high rate of gestational and congenital infection across the globe and is considered a both a public health problem and a neglected disease. The study was carried out to determine the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and the associated risk factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in some Primary Health Centres in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. In this cross-sectional study carried out within 5 months between Jan – May 2019, a total of 182 blood samples were collected from consenting pregnant women. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on socio-demography and risk factors. Three millilitres (3 ml) of blood samples were collected from the study participants. Sera were separated from the blood and evaluated for anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies (IgG and IgM) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The data collected from the experiment were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Out of the 182 samples examined, 84 (46.2%) had anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibody, 2 (1.1%) had IgM antibody while 98 (53.4%) were neither seropositive for IgG nor IgM. Trimester of pregnancy was significantly associated with prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibody. In conclusion, Toxoplasmosis is prevalent in Jos. Eleven out of every 1000 women (i.e. 1.1%) had recent toxoplasmosis and 53.4% were not protected against primary infection thereby underscoring the need for prevention and control during pregnancy through enlightenment.

scholarly journals Detection of Immunoglobulin M Antibodies to P35 Antigen of Toxoplasma gondii for Serodiagnosis of Recently Acquired Infection in Pregnant Women

2000 ◽  
Vol 38 (11) ◽  
pp. 3967-3970 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Suzuki ◽  
Raymund Ramirez ◽  
Cindy Press ◽  
Shuli Li ◽  
Stephen Parmley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Igm Antibodies ◽  
Group I ◽  
Igm Elisa ◽  
Group Ii

We examined the efficiency of detection of immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to a 35-kDa antigen (P35) of Toxoplasma gondiifor serodiagnosis of acute infection in pregnant women. A double-sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with recombinant P35 antigen (P35-IgM-ELISA) was used for this purpose. On the basis of the clinical history and the combination of results from the toxoplasma serological profile (Sabin-Feldman dye test, conventional IgM and IgA ELISAs, and the differential agglutination test), the patients were classified into three groups: group I, status suggestive of recently acquired infection; group II, status suggestive of infection acquired in the distant past; group III, status suggestive of persisting IgM antibodies. Eighteen (90.0%) of 20 serum samples from group I patients were positive by the P35-IgM-ELISA, whereas none of the 33 serum samples from group II patients were positive. Only 4 (25.0%) of 16 serum samples from group III patients were positive by the P35-IgM-ELISA, whereas all these serum samples were positive by the conventional IgM ELISA. These results indicate that demonstration of IgM antibodies against P35 by the P35-IgM-ELISA is more specific for the acute stage of the infection than demonstration of IgM antibodies by the ELISA that uses a whole-lysate antigen preparation. Studies with sera obtained from four pregnant women who seroconverted (IgG and IgM antibodies) during pregnancy revealed that two of them became negative by the P35-IgM-ELISA between 4 and 6 months after seroconversion, whereas the conventional IgM ELISA titers remained highly positive. The P35-IgM-ELISA appears to be useful for differentiating recently acquired infection from those acquired in the distant past in pregnant women.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document