Abstract
BackgroundSeroprevalence and incidence of toxoplasmosis in women of child bearing age has remained a contentious issue in the Indian subcontinent. Different laboratories have used different patient recruitment criteria, methods and variable results, making these data difficult to compare.AimTo map the point-prevalence and incidence of toxoplasmosis in India.Material and MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, a total of 1464 women of fertile age were recruited from 4 regions using similar recruitment plans. This included women from northern (203), southern (512), eastern (250) and western (501) regions of India. All samples were transported to a central laboratory in Delhi and tested using VIDAS technology. Their age, parity, eating habits and other demographic and clinical details were noted.ResultsMost women were in the 18–25 years age group (48.3%), followed by 26–30 years (28.2%) and 31–35 years (13.66). Few (45) women older than 35 yr. were included. Overall prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies was seen in 22.40%, with significantly more in married women (25.8%) as compared to single women (4.3%). Prevalence increased steadily with age: 18.1% in the 18–25 yr. age group to 40.5% in women older than 40 yr. The prevalence was high (66%) in those who resided in mud houses. Region-wise, the highest prevalence was observed in South India (37.3%) and the lowest (8.8%) in West Indian women. This difference was highly significant (P<0.001). Prevalence was 21.2% in East India and 19.7% in North India. The IgM positivity rate ranged from 0.4% to 2.9% in four study centers.ConclusionsThis pan-India study shows a prevalence rate of 22.4% with a wide variation in four geographical regions ranging from as low as 8.8% to as high as 37.3%. The overall IgM positivity rate was 1.43%, indicating that an estimated 56,737–176,882 children per year are born in India with a possible risk of congenital toxoplasmosis.
Highlights
The overall IgM positivity rate was 1.43%, indicating that an estimated 56,737–176,882 children per year are born in India with a possible risk of congenital toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection is a significant member of the TORCH group of diseases which cause congenital abnormalities, and even fetal loss
TORCH group infectious agents consist of Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes viruses and Treponema pallidum
Summary
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection is a significant member of the TORCH group of diseases which cause congenital abnormalities, and even fetal loss. Toxoplasmosis is caused by the protozoan parasite T. gondii. It has a wide host range, infecting most warm-blooded species but the life cycle is completed only in felids [7,8]; only cats can shed the environmentally-resistant stage of the parasite (oocyst) in their feces [9,10]. There are numerous serological surveys of T. gondii infection in pregnant women in India, but most of them were based on convenience sampling, and often selectively in women with bad outcome of pregnancy [15,16,17,18]. Different laboratories have used different patient recruitment criteria, methods and variable results, making these data difficult to compare
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
