SEROEPIDEMIOLOGY OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII AMONGST PREGNANT WOMEN WITH BAD OBSTETRIC HISTORY AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN CENTRAL INDIA

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by infection with Toxoplasma gondii. It is usually asymptomatic, but infection in pregnant women can pose serious health problems for the fetus like chorioretinitis, brain calcication, and microcephaly. It is therefore important to prevent transplacental transmission of T.gondii in pregnant females. Considering Aims & Objectives: that the seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma infection in the pregnant women is poorly studied, the main objective of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence and potential risk factors for T. gondii infection in women with BOH seeking antenatal care. Total 172 Materials & Methods: women with Bad obstetric history attending antenatal clinic were tested for Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies by ELISA and a detailed history was taken according to case proforma to assess for potential risk factors. The Results: overall seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies was 33.7% (58/172). Among the seropositive women, 20.9% and 12.8% were positive for IgG antibody and IgM antibody respectively. Among the risk factors evaluated, residence in an urban area, contact with soil, consumption of raw or undercooked meat and unwashed vegetables, drinking unpasteurised milk were observed to be risk factors for Toxoplasmosis. No signicant relationship was found between the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and older maternal age, gestational age, gravida, level of education, contact with cats and drinking untreated water. Conclusion: Health education and awareness is important in pregnant women and women in childbearing age group regarding the risk factors associated with Toxoplasmosis to avoid deleterious effects of the infection on mother and fetus.