Frequency of Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella, and Cytomegalovirus Antibodies in Pregnant Women in Yazd Province, Iran

Abstract

Background: TRC (Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, and cytomegalovirus [CMV]) infections during pregnancy can lead to serious sequelae in the uterine fetus. Prenatal testing, which includes screening and diagnosis of antibodies to TRC infections, is one of the most important aspects of prenatal care recommended during pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of TRC infections in pregnant women who attended the antenatal clinic in Yazd province in central Iran. Methods: For this purpose, 8355 sera samples were obtained from pregnant women attending the central laboratory of Yazd province in central Iran and subjected to screening for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies against TRC using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Of these, 4,245, 2,190, and 1,920 pregnant women were screened for anti-Toxoplasma, rubella, and CMV, IgG, and IgM antibodies, respectively. Results: The results revealed that 77.4% (1695/2190) and 78.1% (1500/1920) were positive for anti-rubella and anti-CMV IgG antibodies, and n.o seropositive was detected for anti-rubella and -CMV IgM antibodies. For anti-Toxoplasma antibodies, 20.85% (885/4245), 9.54% (405/4245), and 12.01% (510/4245) were positive for IgG, IgM, and both IgG-IgM antibodies, respectively. In addition, our findings showed the high prevalence of chronic TRC infections and a low recently acquired Toxoplasma infection in pregnant women. Conclusion: Our findings confirmed the high prevalence of chronic TRC infections and a low recently acquired Toxoplasma infection in pregnant women. Hence, observing personal behavioral practices (the source of infection and hygienic measures) are recommended to women at reproductive-age in general and seronegative pregnant women in particular.