Results of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG, IgM, IgA and IgG Avidity testing in pregnant women in Rome, Italy

Abstract

To evaluate the incidence of Toxoplasma gondii infection, the detection of specific IgG, IgM, IgA and IgG avidity was performed on 1424 pregnant women referred to the “L. Spallanzani” Hospital in Rome (Italy). Of the 1424 women screened, 20 (1.40%) were likely to have been recently infected (presence of IgM/IgA, and/or low IgG avidity), 29 (2.04%) had positive IgM coupled with high IgG avidity, 7 (0.49%) had an unspecific result for IgM alone, 1339 (94.0%), were negative for both IgG and IgM, 29 (2.04%) showed evidence of past infection (IgG positive, IgM negative, high IgG avidity). In Conclusion our results underscore the importance of efficient antenatal screening and appropriate treatment for Toxoplasma infection in Italy.