Abstract
Background: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is one of the most prevalent infectious parasites in humans worldwide. The diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is based on serological screening through the detection of anti-toxoplasmosis antibodies: IgG, which indicates previous exposure and the presence of active immunity, and IgM, which indicates a recent infection. We aimed to determine the prevalence of anti-toxoplasma antibodies in pregnant women at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and explore the cost-effectiveness of anti-toxoplasma screening.Method: This was an analytic retrospective study of women who underwent serology testing for anti-toxoplasmosis antibodies at KAUH in 2013-2018. Data were collected from hospital documentation and IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) version 22 was used for analysis.Result: Of the 9,098 pregnant women seen at KAUH, 2,754 had undergone the test, and 38 had a positive result, i.e., a seroprevalence rate of 1.4%. Most women were Saudis (57.9%), and almost all were multiparous. Of those with a positive result, 36.8% were in the third trimester. Most births were by spontaneous vaginal delivery (65.8%). Twelve (31.6%) of the women with toxoplasmosis experienced obstetric complications. The estimated total cost of screening the pregnancies was US $919,646.00Conclusion: The prevalence of pregnant women with a positive anti-toxoplasmosis test result was low, and we believe there is no net benefit from screening all pregnant women for toxoplasmosis. Primary prevention should be through health education, and we recommend screening only women with high-risk pregnancies.
Highlights
Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii) is a common intracellular parasite that is considered one of the most prevalent infectious parasites in humans worldwide [1]
We aimed to determine the prevalence of anti-toxoplasma antibodies in pregnant women at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and explore the cost-effectiveness of anti-toxoplasma screening
A structured data sheet was used to collect the nationality, maternal age, gestational age (GA) at delivery, gravidity, parity, anti-toxoplasmosis level, and GA at which the test was performed. In those with a positive test result the history of complications was examined, which included oligohydramnios, anhydramnios, cardiomegaly, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), abortion, fetal hydrops, premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD)
Summary
Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii) is a common intracellular parasite that is considered one of the most prevalent infectious parasites in humans worldwide [1]. The most significant risk occurs during the first trimester; even though the transmission rate of T. gondii is low, the related morbidity is high during this period, and it can result in severe congenital anomalies [4]. This is in contrast to the third trimester, which is characterized by a high transmission rate but low morbidity [4]. Transplacental transmission results in congenital toxoplasmosis, with a broad spectrum of inherent complications, which can vary according to the trimester in which the parasitic infection was transmitted [5]. We aimed to determine the prevalence of anti-toxoplasma antibodies in pregnant women at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and explore the cost-effectiveness of anti-toxoplasma screening
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
