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 ◽  
...  

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.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Shahrzad Soltani ◽  
Ali Dalir Ghaffari ◽  
Mehdi Sagha Kahvaz ◽  
Mohamad Sabaghan ◽  
Marzieh Pashmforosh ◽  
...  

Background. This research was aimed at evaluating the seroprevalence of acute and chronic Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in pregnant women and related risk factors in southwest Iran. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, eighty-eight pregnant women were included from October 2019 to December 2019. The presence of anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG antibodies was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, a questionnaire consisting of demographic information was completed for each subject. Results. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was estimated to be 34.09% (30/88). Of these, 1 (1.13%) and 29 (32.95%) samples were found positive for IgM and IgG, respectively. Regarding the risk factors, the consumption of raw/undercooked meat ( P value = 0.007) and history of abortion ( P value = 0.017) were significantly associated with IgG seroprevalence in pregnant women. Conclusion. The results showed that the pregnant women of southwest Iran might be moderately exposed to T. gondii. Since the risk of acute T. gondii infection in this susceptible group is very important, regular screening tests to diagnose the infection are recommended before pregnancy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-45
Author(s):  
Huda Sahib Abdul Mohammed Al-Rawazq

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a very common infection caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan parasite. This parasite is called Toxoplasma gondii widely distributed around the world . Toxoplasma gondii can be vertically transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy and may cause wide range of clinical manifestations in the offspring. Objective: To determine seroprevalence Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin M  (IgM ) to toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women and to identify the risk factors. Type of the study: A cross-sectional study. Methods: A total of 110 blood samples of pregnant women were collected from private laboratory for Dr. luay Ibrahim to Pathogenesis Analyses in Baghdad Al-Mansour- 14 Ramadan  street . Which obtained during the period from 1st March 2016 till the 30th June 2016. Data was collected by using direct interviewing questionnaire sheet concerning their ages of pregnant women between (less than 20 to more than 40 years old), place of residence ( urban, rural), level of education (illiteracy, literacy), number of pervious abortion (one, two, three or more), contact with ( cat and other domestic animal or no animal in house). The diagnosis is based on IgG and IgM antibodies of Toxoplasma gondii were measured using a commercial Kit ( Cobas Toxo IgG, Toxo IgM) according to the Roche Diagnostic manufacturer's instructions. Each blood was analyzed for the presence of Toxoplasma gondii by identifying serum IgG and IgM antibodies using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results: A total of 110 pregnant women were enrolled and screened for the presence of anti- toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies. The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies result revealed that 40 (63.4 %) of 110 pregnant women were positive for anti-toxoplasma-antibody IgG and 70 (63.6 %) of 110 were negative for anti-toxoplasma-antibody-IgG while revealed that 16 (13.6 %) of 110 pregnant women were positive for anti-toxoplasma-antibody IgM and 94 (86.4 %) of 110 were negative for anti-toxoplasma-antibody IgM. Conclusions: the present study shows that anti-Toxoplasma IgG Ab are higher than anti-Toxoplasma IgM Ab in pregnant women between the age group 20 to 30 years in literacy educational level and rural area also recorded the highest rates of seropositivity among women with only one previously abortion in contact with cats are more affected.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Majda Laboudi ◽  
Zoubida Taghy ◽  
Oussama Duieb ◽  
François Peyron ◽  
Abderrahim Sadak

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.


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 ◽  
...  

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelbaset E. Abdelbaset ◽  
Maha I. Hamed ◽  
Mostafa F. N. Abushahba ◽  
Mohamed S. Rawy ◽  
Amal S. M. Sayed ◽  
...  

Background and Aim: The cosmopolite protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii, has a significant economic and medical impact. Cats traditionally play a predominant role in the disease maintenance cycle; however, humans can be infected as a result of milk and meat consumption of Toxoplasma-infected livestock. In addition, infected pregnant women, even symptomless, can pass the disease to their unborn fetus. The limited clinical records and absence of specific national educational programs in countries like Egypt underscore the need for periodic toxoplasmosis disease evaluation. Here, we identified T. gondii seroprevalence among sheep and pregnant women and the associated risk factors in El-Minya Governorate, Egypt. Materials and Methods: Using peripheral blood, we detected T. gondii-specific antibodies in 151 sheep and 96 pregnant women sera from El-Minya Governorate using latex agglutination and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The impact of different environmental and behavioral risk factors identified with in-person interviews and serology results on acquiring toxoplasmosis was statistically analyzed. Results: The overall toxoplasmosis seroprevalence was 39.1% and 22.9% in sheep and pregnant women, respectively. Significantly higher seroprevalence was correlated with increasing sheep age and geographical location. Nonetheless, no statistical significance was found based on abortion history and pregnancy status of the examined sheep. Exposure factors important for pregnant women included pregnancy trimester, contact with cats, and the habit of eating undercooked sheep meat, which all had a statistically significant association with Toxoplasma seropositivity. Conclusion: The current study confirms increased antibodies against toxoplasmosis in both sheep and pregnant women in El-Minya Governorate and a clear association between women's age, contact with cats, and the habit of eating undercooked sheep meat and seroreactivity to T. gondii. These results strongly suggest the need for a more comprehensive epidemiological study and public health awareness education for toxoplasmosis.


2000 ◽  
Vol 38 (11) ◽  
pp. 3967-3970 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Suzuki ◽  
Raymund Ramirez ◽  
Cindy Press ◽  
Shuli Li ◽  
Stephen Parmley ◽  
...  

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-131
Author(s):  
N.F. Nguemaïm ◽  
W.A. Takang ◽  
W.P. Dobgima ◽  
B.M. Guebidiang ◽  
P. Foumane ◽  
...  

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous, coccidian parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. This infection, if acquired during pregnancy may result in severe damage. It affects a third of the world’s population. In many developing countries, its prevalence is unknown, and data concerning its seroprevalence among pregnant women is scarce in our study area. The objective of this study is to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and the associated risk factors among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic (ANC) at the Bamenda Regional Hospital in Cameroon. The results obtained will be useful in giving an estimate of the prevalence among pregnant women thus informing policy on preventive measures. Methodology: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study of pregnant women recruited between January and April 2018 using systematic random sampling technique. Socio-demographic data of participants and predisposing factors to toxoplasmosis were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire administered to them. Five milliliters of blood were collected and the serum screened for IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii using the cassette and buffer immunochromatographic method. The positive IgG cases were tested further by ELISA technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Associations between variables were tested by Chi square and p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Of 127 women tested, 44 were seropositive for IgG T. gondii infection (34.6%) by cassette and buffer method and only 1 with both IgG and IgM antibodies(0.8) were found among them with Elisa test. Pet ownership and handling of their litters were risk factors significantly associated with toxoplasmosis (p=0.013 and 0.006 respectively). Although the frequencies of consumption of raw dried meat and farming among the subjects were high, their associations with toxoplasmosis were not statistically significant.Conclusion: The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies among the pregnant women is still high compared with previous finding in the same area (34.6 % for IgG and 0.8% for IgG and IgM). Pet ownership and handling of their litters were risk factors significantly associated with toxoplasmosis in this study. Screening of pregnant women during ANC and treatment of positive cases, are necessary to prevent congenital infections in the newborn. Health education on how to minimize exposure to the risk factors should be given.Keywords: Risk factors, toxoplasmosis, congenital transmission, serological diagnosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-139
Author(s):  
Ahmed J. Ahmed ◽  
Bayar K. Zeebaree ◽  
Ramadhan A. Khanamir

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.


Author(s):  
Julio César Castillo-Cuenca ◽  
Álvaro Martínez-Moreno ◽  
José Manuel Diaz-Cao ◽  
Angel Entrena-García ◽  
Jorge Fraga ◽  
...  

AbstractA cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in pigs in the largest pork-producing region in Cuba. Serum samples from 420 pigs, including 210 sows and 210 post-weaning pigs, were tested for antibodies against T. gondii using a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected in 56 animals (13.3%, 95% CI: 10.1–16.6). A generalized estimating equations model revealed that the risk factors associated with higher seropositivity in pigs were altitude (higher in farm’s location < 250 m above sea level (masl) versus ≥ 250 masl) and age (higher in sows compared to post-weaning pigs). The results indicated that this protozoan parasite is widely distributed on pig farms in the study area, which is a public health concern since the consumption of raw or undercooked pork meat products containing tissue cysts is considered one of the main routes of T. gondii transmission worldwide. Control measures should be implemented to reduce the risk of exposure to T. gondii in pigs in Cuba.


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