Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women

Gholamreza Barzgar; Ehsan Ahmadpour; Mohammad Hasan Kohansal; Sirous Mehrani Moghaddam; Tohid Jafari Koshki; Aleksandra Barac; Veeranoot Nissapatorn; Alok K Paul; Jelena Micić

doi:10.3855/jidc.17832

Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women

Authors

Gholamreza Barzgar Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3743-4318
Ehsan Ahmadpour Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1202-6147
Mohammad Hasan Kohansal School of Medicine, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9177-1182
Sirous Mehrani Moghaddam Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Tohid Jafari Koshki Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6928-1387
Aleksandra Barac Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Clinical Center of Serbia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
Veeranoot Nissapatorn School of Allied Health Sciences and Research Excellence Center for Innovation and Health Products (RECIHP), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
Alok K Paul School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6090-2407
Jelena Micić Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center of Serbia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5686-0307

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.17832

Keywords:

Toxoplasma gondii, seroprevalence, congenital, ELISA

Abstract

Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite affecting a broad range of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Infection acquired during pregnancy can be transmitted to the fetus and leading to serious problems such as spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, or severe mental and/or physical handicaps in the child. The purpose of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection and related risk factors in pregnant woman.

Methodology: The study enrolled 1200 serum samples of pregnant women from February-November 2017. Then the samples were tested for the presence of anti-T. gondii antibodies (Ab) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Out of the 1200 samples, 381 (31.7%) and 41 (3.4%) subjects were positive for IgG and IgM Ab, respectively. Among the evaluated risk factors, the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection was not related to the occupation in a significant way. However significant relationship was observed with factors such as; contact with soil, cats, consumption of raw washed vegetables, and washed hands before meals.

Conclusions: According to the results, more than two-thirds of pregnant women are susceptible to Toxoplasma infection, hence training health care programs should be provided to prevent infection.

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Published

2024-01-31

How to Cite

Barzgar G, Ahmadpour E, Kohansal MH, Mehrani Moghaddam S, Jafari Koshki T, Barac A, Nissapatorn V, Paul AK, Micić J (2024) Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women. J Infect Dev Ctries 18:60–65. doi: 10.3855/jidc.17832

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Issue

Vol. 18 No. 01: January 2024

Section

Original Articles

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