Using Immunohistochemistry and Histopathology in Confirming the responsibility of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in causing Abortions of Women in Maysan Province, Iraq

Abstract

This study was conducted at Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital, Amara, Maysan province, to evaluate the role of toxoplasmosis in the abortion of women. The immunohistochemistry (IHC) test showed that 66.7% (10/15) of women had anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG in their placenta’s tissues and 80% of toxoplasmosis-infected women had at least one abortion. Histopathology test shows that 100% (7/7) of aborted women harbour T. gondii tachyzoites or pseudocysts stages or both in their placenta's tissues. The microscopic examination of the prepared slides by immunohistochemical and histopathological techniques of the placenta tissue showed the presence of tachyzoites and pseudocysts of T. gondii with a high density in all infected women. Necrosis, destruction, haemorrhage, granuloma, and fibrosis are also observed in the tissues of the toxoplasmosis-infected placenta of the aborted women. IHC had a highly sensitive and reliable test for detecting T. gondii in different tissues of the placentas. These immunohistochemical and histopathological studies conclude beyond doubt the responsibility of the T. gondii parasite in causing abortions, as well as recurrent abortions.