Gondii Infection In Pregnant Women Research Articles

Seromolecular study on the prevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women referred to a gynecology hospital in Urmia, northwest part of Iran in 2022

Toxoplasmosis is a frequent infection among the human population. The infection can cause devastating complications for the fetus during pregnancy. The present study aimed to determine the serological and molecular prevalence of the infection and molecular characterization of Toxoplasma gondii isolates among pregnant women referred to Kowsar Hospital, Urmia, Iran. In a cross-sectional study, 340 blood samples were collected from pregnant women referred to Kowsar Hospital, Urmia, Iran from May to July 2022. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM seropositivity were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. PCR was carried out by targeting the GRA6 gene of the parasite on all patients’ buffy coats. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were positive in two (0.6%) women, and 101 (29.7%) women had anti-T. gondii IgG and 70.3% were seronegative. PCR was positive in two IgM-positive women, and both isolates belonged to T. gondii carrying the GRA6 allele of lineage I. The risk of infection was significantly higher in women who had constant contact with cats and soil, and who were residents of rural areas. The two IgM-positive women were asymptomatic regarding acute toxoplasmosis. According to the results of the present study, the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in Urmia is similar to its prevalence in other areas in northwestern Iran, and despite the low prevalence of acute infection, it should not be ignored.

Comparison of three immunoassays for detection of anti-toxoplasma IgM antibodies in pregnant women

Abstract Aim of investigation Comparison of an electrochemiluminescence technique (ECL, applied in Cobas 6000 instrument), an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, applied in CHORUS instrument) and an enzyme-linked fluorescent assay (ELFA, applied in MINI-VIDAS instrument) for early diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women. Medical diagnosis is required to determine the most sensitive techniques to diagnose this pathogen, in the framework of which is developed this scientific work. This is very important due to the multiple fetal infections during pregnancy. Methods ECL, ELISA and ELFA techniques are used to detect anti-toxoplasma IgM antibodies in pregnant women, during the first trimester of pregnancy. 200 samples were analyzed with each technique and sensitivity and specificity are evaluated for each of them. Results ECL technique has resulted in higher sensitivity (100%) and specificity (99.3%), while ELISA technique has resulted in lower sensitivity (87.5%) and specificity (97.3%). Conclusion Analysis of the results confirmed the usefulness of ECL technique for an early diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infections in pregnant women. Anyway, for diagnostic purposes, the results should always be assessed in conjuction with the patient’s medical history and other clinical examinations.

Correlation of toxoplasmosis with small‑for‑gestational‑age newborns.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women could lead to significant changes during the pregnancy, affect the outcomes of pregnancy and the timing of labour. Small‑for‑gestational‑age (SGA) newborns are defined by birthweight below the 10th percentile for gestational age. We tested an association between latent toxoplasmosis in pregnant women and deliveries of SGA babies. For testing, we included 1,647 women who gave birth to a singleton baby at ≥ 37 weeks of gestation. The complement-fixation test (CFT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests for IgG and IgM were used. The latent form of toxoplasmosis was defined as a CFT titre of 1:8 or higher, together with index positivity IgG ELISA > 1.1 and negative IgM. There were 406 (24.7 %) women positive, and 1,241 (75.3 %) women negative for latent toxoplasmosis. Of all deliveries. 190 were SGA‑positive and 1,457 were SGA‑negative. Our study found a statistically significant association between latent toxoplasmosis and SGA foetuses born at term. The Pearson chi-square model was statistically significant (χ2(1) = 7.365, p = .007). The odds ratio was 1.567. Pregnant women with latent toxoplasmosis giving birth at ≥ 37 weeks of gestation have a 1.567 times higher risk of delivering an SGA baby (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 30).

Toxoplasma gondii Induces Pyroptosis in Human Placental Trophoblast and Amniotic Cells by Inducing ROS Production and Activation of Cathepsin B and NLRP1/NLRP3/NLRC4/AIM2 Inflammasome

Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women may cause fetal anomalies; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The current study investigated whether T. gondii induces pyroptosis in human placental cells and the underlying mechanisms. Human placental trophoblast (BeWo and HTR-8/SVneo) and amniotic (WISH) cells were infected with T. gondii, and then reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cathepsin B (CatB) release, inflammasome activation, and pyroptosis induction were evaluated. The molecular mechanisms of these effects were investigated by treating the cells with ROS scavengers, a CatB inhibitor, or inflammasome-specific siRNA. T. gondii infection induced ROS generation and CatB release into the cytosol in placental cells but decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. T. gondii-infected human placental cells and villi exhibited NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, and AIM2 inflammasome activation and subsequent pyroptosis induction, as evidenced by increased expression of ASC, cleaved caspase-1, and mature IL-1β and gasdermin D cleavage. In addition to inflammasome activation and pyroptosis induction, adverse pregnancy outcome was shown in a T. gondii-infected pregnant mouse model. Administration of ROS scavengers, CatB inhibitor, or inflammasome-specific siRNA into T. gondii-infected cells reversed these effects. Collectively, these findings show that T. gondii induces NLRP1/NLRP3/NLRC4/AIM2 inflammasome-dependent caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis via induction of ROS production and CatB activation in placental cells. This mechanism may play an important role in inducing cell injury in congenital toxoplasmosis.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, northwest Ethiopia.

To assess the seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women at the Debre Markos Referral Hospital, northwest Ethiopia. A facility-based cross-sectional study was undertaken among pregnant women from March 2020 to May 2021. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from randomly selected participants. Five millilitres of blood was collected and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to test for T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. A logistic regression model was computed to identify the risk factors. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was estimated along with the 95% confidence interval (CI). A statistically significant association was defined as p<0.05. T. gondii IgG antibody positivity was found in 38.8% (n=132) of 340 pregnant women. Contact with cats (AOR 2.5 [95% CI 1.5 to 4.2]), eating raw/undercooked meat (AOR 5.7 [95% CI 3.2 to 10.3]), consuming unwashed vegetables (AOR 4.1 [95% CI 2.1 to 8.0]), a history of abortion (AOR 1.9 [95% CI 1.1 to 3.3]) and drinking water sources (AOR 2.5 [95% CI 1.2 to 5.2]) demonstrated a statistically significant association with T. gondii infection. Toxoplasmosis was found to be fairly common in pregnant mothers. Proper cat excreta disposal, not eating raw/undercooked meat, maintaining hand cleanliness and following environmental sanitation protocols could be important to decrease T. gondii infection.

Nanoemulsion of Spiramycin against Tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii, RH Strain: Preparation, Toxicology, and Efficacy Studies.

Toxoplasma infection is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which is an intracellular protozoan parasite. This infection consequently lead various congenital disabilities during pregnancy in patients. Spiramycin (Spi), a macrolide antibiotic, is typically recommended for T. gondii infection in pregnant women. We aimed to prepare the nanoemulsion of spiramycin (NE-Spi) and to evaluate the activity of this formulation in tachyzoites of T. gondii, RH strain. This study was conducted in 2019-2021 at the School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. NE-Spi was prepared by spontaneous emulsification. The effects of this nanoemulsion on the viability of cultured cells were measured using MTT assay. To estimate the effects of NE-Spi on tachyzoites of T. gondii, RH strain, different concentrations of NE-Spi, S-Spi (suspension of spiramycin), and NE (nanoemulsion without any spiramycin) were added to tachyzoites and then stored for 30, 60, 90, 120 min and 24 h in 250 µg/ml concentration at room temperature. Finally, Tachyzoites mortality rates were evaluated by trypan blue staining. Of note, flow cytometry was conducted to confirm the obtained results. The final particle size of NE-Spi was calculated to be 11.3 nm by DLS and TEM. Thereafter, using MTT assay, in 62.5 µg/ml concentration of NE-Spi, the Vero cells viability was obtained as 82%. The highest mortality rates of tachyzoites of T.gondii, RH strain were observed at 250 µg/ml concentration and after 120 min of exposure, but it was not significantly different from 24 h of exposure. NE-Spi has lethal efficacy on T. gondii RH strain in-vitro.

Interplay between cross sectional analysis of risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women and their domestic cats.

Toxoplasmosis is a global zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). The primary aim of this study was to identify hygienic and cat management practices that could affect the occurrence of T. gondii in cats and their owners in Sharqia Governorate, Egypt. T. gondii infection was evaluated in 80 pregnant women and 29 domestic cats using Real-time PCR. A questionnaire was administered to obtain information regarding the risk factors associated with T. gondii infection. Blood samples were collected from enrolled pregnant women, and fecal samples were collected from their pet cats. Firth logistic regression model complemented with random forest (RF) analysis was used to evaluate the association of different hygiene and cat management practices with T. gondii infection in pregnant women. T. gondii infection was identified in 27.5% of pregnant women and 17% of domestic cats. Drinking raw milk and contacting stray and pet cats were significantly associated with higher odds of T. gondii infection. The proportion of T. gondii-positive women who ate raw meat (60.0%) was higher than those ate heat-cooked meat (25.3%). Moreover, women who did not wash their hands after contact with cats were 6 times (OR 6.12; CI: 3.03-9.21) more likely to experience T. gondii infection than those washed their hands after cat contact. The RF analysis showed that washing hands constitute a serious yet preventable public health concern that requires targeted, community-specific efforts. Cat owners, particularly pregnant women, need to be aware about the risk of T. gondii infection, while handling cat and pet's owner should be advised to take necessary hygienic measures to prevent its infection.

Seroprevalencia y factores de riesgo de la infección por Toxoplasma gondii en mujeres embarazadas

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which currently affects almost a third of the world population, with the most pregnant being the most affected. As an objective, it was proposed to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women. The study was quantitative, descriptive, experimental, cross-sectional. The sample consisted of 372 pregnant women between the ages of 14 and 40, who attended a gynecological consultation at a public hospital in the El Oro Province, Ecuador. As a data collection instrument, once the informed consent was signed, a sociodemographic questionnaire was applied and a venous blood sample was collected without anticoagulant for the serological determination of IgM and IgG anti-T. gondii through capture immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) (IgM) and indirect immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) (IgG) Vircell Microbiologists®. Data were stored in Microsoft Excel and processed with the SPSS statistical package to find seroprevalence values, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) and Chi-square with p: &lt;0.005. As a result, a seroprevalence of 20.16% (75/372) was found, where the most affected age group was 24 to 28 years (25.23%), 92% (69/72) presented IgG antibodies and 8% (6/72) IgM, a significant statistical association was found between marital status and the presence of antibodies against T. gondii (p: 0.0156), 20.51% had cats inside the house and 22.75% handled feces of the cats It is necessary to implement educational actions and strategies in the fight against toxoplasmosis in Ecuador.

Diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women from the Brazilian border, Foz do Iguaçu

Resumo Introdução: O Toxoplasma gondii, parasito intracelular obrigatório, é o agente etiológico da toxoplasmose, a qual acomete cerca de um terço da população mundial. Objetivo: Analisar a frequência da infecção por Toxoplasma gondii em gestantes em Foz do Iguaçu e verificar possíveis fatores de associação a infecção. Método: Foi realizado um estudo transversal retrospectivo (dados de 2017) que avaliou exames sorológicos, pesquisa de anticorpos IgG e IgM para T. gondii durante a gestação e possíveis fatores de associação a infecção, a partir das fichas de pré-natal das gestantes em unidades de saúde, Foz do Iguaçu/PR. O teste do χ2 para tendência foi utilizado para análise dos dados e, o odds ratio (OR) para estimar a chance de associação entre as variáveis. Resultados: Das 1.000 fichas de pré-natal analisadas, 78,1% apresentaram registro de sorologia para T. gondii, das quais, 34,0% eram imunes ao T. gondii, 3,9% apresentaram anticorpos IgG e IgM e 66,0% eram suscetíveis. A maioria das gestantes iniciaram o pré-natal no primeiro trimestre 467 (60,0%). Houve predominância de gestantes com mais de uma gestação 200 (44,0% — p=0,00001), brasileiras 259 (35,1% — p=0,0112), idade &gt;41 anos 7 (63,6%), ensino médio completo 125 (37,8% — p&lt;0,05) e de cor da pele branca 140 (38,5% — p=0,0164). Conclusões: Os fatores associados a frequência da infecção nas gestantes devem ser considerados durante o pré-natal para a prevenção da infecção.

Adverse pregnancy outcomes in Toxoplasma gondii seropositive Hispanic women.

Chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection is not thought to affect pregnancy or birth outcomes, but there are few prospective studies. The study aims were T. gondii immunoglobulin G measurement and relationship of chronic T. gondii infection with gestational age at birth and adverse pregnancy outcomes in 690 Hispanic women in Tampa, Florida. Hispanic women, born either in the United States or in Latin America or the Caribbean had a venous blood sample drawn to measure T. gondii IgG and T. gondii serotype at the first prenatal visit, along with collection of demographic and health-related measures. Seropositive and seronegative women were followed throughout their pregnancy. Gestational age, infant weights, and adverse pregnancy outcomes (miscarriages, preterm births) were compared in the two groups. There were 740 women of self-reported Hispanic ethnicity screened and enrolled in Tampa, Florida, with 690 having birth data extracted from the electronic health record (538 T. gondii negative and 152 T. gondii seropositive). T. gondii seropositivity was 22.4% and the majority (83%) had high avidity titers, indicating chronic infection. Compared to T. gondii seronegative Hispanic women, seroseropositive women had more smaller for gestational age infants and higher prevalences of miscarriages and preterm birth. This is one of the largest longitudinal cohort studies of women with chronic T. gondii infection followed through pregnancy. There was a higher percentages of adverse pregnancy outcomes in this group compared to T. gondii seronegative controls. The mechanism for this is unknown and warrants reexamination of the dogma that chronic T. gondii infection in pregnant women has no significant clinical consequences.

Seroprevalence and risk factors predicting Toxoplasma gondii (Toxoplasmosis) infection in pregnant women in Koula-Moutou and surrounding departments in central-eastern Gabon

Serological screening for toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in Gabon is not always systematic during pregnancy. However, whether in urban, rural or semi-rural areas, hygiene and living conditions are often precarious for these populations at risk. This state of affairs constitutes a favorable terrain for the dissemination of the disease. It is in this context that the objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors predicting Toxoplama gondii infection in pregnant women in the province of Ogooué-Lolo, of which Koula-Moutou is the capital, a semi-rural area in central-eastern Gabon. This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2 to February 28, 2022 in a population of pregnant women from two of the most frequented health centers in the commune of Koula-Moutou: the Centre Hospitalier Régional Paul MOUKAMBI (CHRPM) and the Centre de Santé Urbain (CSU) of Koula-Moutou, in east-central Gabon. From serum/plasma collected from pregnant women, the rapid diagnostic immunological technique “Onsite Rapid Test TOXO IgG/IgM Combo”, a lateral flow chromatography immunological test for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of anti- Toxoplasma gondii ( T. gondii ) IgG and IgM, was used to perform toxoplasma serologies . A pre-established and structured questionnaire on sociodemographic factors and risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis was submitted to the participants and the data obtained were analyzed using R software version 3.6.1. The study included 97 pregnant women from the city of Koula-Moutou and surrounding departments, aged 16 to 43 years, with a mean age of 27.9 ± 7.1 years. IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were found in 78 pregnant women, representing a seroprevalence of 80.41% ( n = 78), among whom 5.13% ( n = 4) were diagnosed as seropositive to IgM anti- Toxoplasma gondii in this study. In univariate analysis , pupils/students (COR = 14.65; 95% CI: [1.86–115.24]), women with a small trade (COR = 0.53; 95% CI: [0.12–2.28]), or even those with no professional status (COR = 0.19; 95% CI: [0.05–0.74]), those with primary (COR = 0.28; 95% CI: [0.09–0.83]), secondary (COR = 6.15; 95% CI: [2.1–18.04]) and university (COR = .2; 95% CI: [0.04–0.89]) education, those who were single (COR = 3.21; 95% CI: [0. 98–10.55]) and finally, those with a number of pregnancies ranging from 1 to 5 (OR = 4.11; 95% CI: [1.41–11.99]), were at high risk of Toxoplasmosis, After adjustment of risk factors by multivariate logistic regression , cohabitation with cats and/or dogs, rabbits, mice (Adjusted OR = 0.17; 95% CI: [0.00–0.67]) was identified as the only significant risk factor for Toxoplasmosis ( P = 0.037) in our study population. In order to prevent Toxoplasma gondii infections and protect newborns in Gabon, awareness of the risks of contamination, systematic serological surveillance and hygiene measures are necessary and should be proposed to pregnant women during prenatal consultations.

Toxoplasma Gondii Enhances Oxidative Stress in Pregnant Women: A Case-Control Study

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes the disease Toxoplasmosis. Acute infection of T. gondii in pregnant women is dangerous because the parasite can transmit into developing foetus and can cause congenital toxoplasmosis. To assess the prevalence of T. gondii infection, its association with pregnancy and the impact of this parasite on generating oxidative stress, ninety-two pregnant women and sixty-five age matched non-pregnant control subjects were enrolled in this study. Using an immunological assay with a rapid test cassette, T. gondii specific IgG antibody was detected in 25% pregnant women while it was found only 9.2% in non-pregnant healthy control subjects, suggesting that a higher percentage of pregnant women carried chronic T. gondii infection compared to control subjects. Anti-T. gondii IgM was also tested and found to be positive in only 3.3 % pregnant women as compared to control. Polymerase Chain Reaction analysis was carried out with the DNA isolated from blood of both anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG positive pregnant women and was found to be negative for T. gondii REP-529 gene, suggesting a chronic infection. Our data suggest that pregnant women who were in contact with cat in their third trimester of pregnancy demonstrated a significantly higher association with acquiring infection. Furthermore, to determine any association of T. gondii infection with oxidative stress in pregnant women, oxidative stress markers were assessed in plasma samples. The total oxidative stress was found to be higher in T. gondii positive subjects compared to T. gondii negative samples whereas total antioxidant defence was observed to be slightly decreased in T. gondii positive pregnant women. It can primarily be said that chronic T. gondii infection in pregnant women may increase oxidative stress and this, therefore, may act as a risk factor for congenital toxoplasmosis. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 31(1): 79-91, 2022 (January)

The Role and Function of Regulatory T Cells in Toxoplasma gondii-Induced Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes.

Infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) during the pregnant period and its potentially miserable outcomes for the fetus, newborn, and even adult offspring continuously occur worldwide. People acquire infection through the consumption of infected and undercooked meat or contaminated food or water. T. gondii infection in pregnant women primarily during the gestation causes microcephaly, mental and psychomotor retardation, or death. Abnormal pregnancy outcomes are mainly associated with regulatory T cell (Treg) dysfunction. Tregs, a special subpopulation of T cells, function as a vital regulator in maintaining immune homeostasis. Tregs exert a critical effect on forming and maintaining maternal-fetal tolerance and promoting fetal development during the pregnancy period. Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), a significant functional factor of Tregs, determines the status of Tregs. In this review, we summarize the effects of T. gondii infection on host Tregs and its critical transcriptional factor, Foxp3.

Toxoplasma gondii infection: seroprevalence and associated risk factors for women of childbearing age in Osun State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Toxoplasmosis is a common parasitic infection caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii. Prevalence and risk factors of T. gondii infection in women of childbearing age in Osun State, Nigeria are unknown. This study was aimed to determine the seroprevalence and potential risk factors in acquiring T. gondii infection by women of childbearing age in Osun State, Nigeria. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2019 to December 2019 in childbearing age women. Sera of 415 women aged 18–49 years randomly selected were collected and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. A questionnaire survey was administered for all study participants to collect socio-demographic and risk factors data. The study revealed that the overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 76.63%, which comprised 6.02% positivity for anti-T. gondii IgM (25/415), 44.10% for IgG (183/415) and 26.51% for IgG plus IgM (110/415). Seroprevalence of IgM antibodies to T. gondii (6.02%) suggested recent infections. Women residing in rural communities and women of Islam religion showed significant association with anti-T. gondii seropositivity (p < 0.05). Residence location and women who are of Islam religion are risk factors to acquire T. gondii infection. Hence, health education and awareness on the disease and its transmission to women of childbearing age group in general and pregnant women in particular should be created during antenatal follow up to reduce the risk of T. gondii infection in pregnant women.

Epidemiological Aspects of Maternal and Congenital Toxoplasmosis in Panama.

In Panama, epidemiological data on congenital toxoplasmosis are limited, making it difficult to understand the scope of clinical manifestations in the population and factors that may increase the risk of infection. This study provides insight into the epidemiological situation of maternal and congenital toxoplasmosis in Panama and contributing information on the burden of this disease in Central America. Blood samples were collected from 2326 pregnant women and used for the detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies. A high seroprevalence (44.41%) was observed for T. gondii infection in pregnant women from different regions of Panama, with an estimated incidence rate of congenital toxoplasmosis of 3.8 cases per 1000 live births. The main risk factors associated with T. gondii infection using bivariate statistical analysis were an elementary level education and maternal age range of 34-45 years. Multivariate statistical analyses revealed that in some regions (San Miguelito, North and West regions), the number of positive cases correlated with the presence of pets, stray dogs and the consumption of poultry. In other regions (East and Metropolitan regions), the absence of pets was considered a protective factor associated with negative cases, while the presence of stray cats and the age range of 25–34 years did not represent any risk in these regions.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women: a cross-sectional study in Matehuala City, Mexico

ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in pregnant women in Matehuala City, Mexico; and the associated risk factors.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingMatehuala City, Mexico.Participants311 pregnant...

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis among Human Immunodeficiency Virus infected pregnant women in Abuja Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Introduction. Toxoplasmosis is a neglected parasitic infection that has economic and epidemiological significance. Data on toxoplasmosis seroprevalence among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected pregnant women may be of obstetric and neonatal concern. Aim. The study was designed to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis and associated risk factors in HIV-positive pregnant women attending the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja, Northcentral Nigeria. Material and methods. This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study. A total of 160 HIV seropositive pregnant women were recruited. Blood samples were collected and tested for anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Structured questionnaires were used to collate the sociodemographic variables of participants. Results. Out of the 160 of HIV seropositive pregnant women, the seroprevalence anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM were 29.4% and 4.4%, respectively. There was no significant association between anti-T. gondii and all sociodemographic variables studied (p&gt;0.05). Conclusion. The overall result of this study revealed that the majority of pregnant women were exposed to toxoplasmosis much earlier in life. Hence, these findings will assist obstetricians and gynecologists in the early diagnosis and management of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women, especially HIV coinfected ones with IgM seropositivity.

Prevalence and predictors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women from Dhamar, Yemen

BackgroundToxoplasmosis is a common and serious parasitic infection caused by the ubiquitous obligatory intracellular protozoan organism, Toxoplasma gondii. Although infection with T. gondii is usually asymptomatic in healthy individuals, it can lead to severe pathological effects in congenital cases and immunocompromised patients. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii and its predictors among pregnant women seeking prenatal and medical care at the general maternal and child health facility in Dhamar district of Dhamar governorate, Yemen.MethodsA total of 420 pregnant women were randomly selected for this cross-sectional study. Participants were screened for anti-T. gondii antibodies (i.e. immunoglobulin M; IgM and immunoglobulin G; IgG) using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Demographic, socioeconomic, obstetric and behavioural data were collected using a pretested questionnaire via face-to-face interview. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the independent predictors of T. gondii seroprevalence.ResultsThe overall seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies (IgG and/or IgM) among the participants was 21.2% (89/420; 95% CI = 17.3–25.1). Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were detected in 20.0% (84/420) of the women of which 12.9% (54/420) were positive for only IgG and 7.1% (30/420) were positive for both IgG and IgM antibodies. Moreover, 5 women (1.2%) were reactive only for IgM antibodies. Significant associations between T. gondii seroprevalence and history of spontaneous abortion (P < 0.001), raw vegetables consumption (P = 0.036), and presence of cats in household (P = 0.049) were reported. Multivariate analysis confirmed that history of spontaneous abortion (AOR = 4.04; 95% CI = [2.46, 6.63]) and presence of cats in household (AOR = 1.77; 95% CI = [1.02, 3.07]) are significant predictors of T. gondii seroprevalence among the studied participants.ConclusionThe study found a high seroprevalence (21.2%) of T. gondii infection during pregnancy in Dhamar district, which is significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The provision of adequate maternal healthcare and health education pertaining to the prevention of T. gondii infection is therefore imperative to curtail the prevalence of infection among the studied population.

Global, regional and national estimates of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in pregnant women: a protocol for a systematic review and modelling analysis

IntroductionTo set priorities for public health policy, funding for public health interventions, and healthcare planning which will ultimately contribute in bending the burden of toxoplasmosis towards maternal and neonatal health,...

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii Infection among Pregnant Women in Hormozgan Province, South of Iran

Toxoplasmosis can cause miscarriage or complications in the fetus. Diagnosis and treatment of this disease by anti-parasitic drugs especially in early pregnancy can help to prevent fetal infection and its complications. This study aimed to determine T. gondii infection in pregnant women, evaluate risk factors in the transmission of the disease and congenital toxoplasmosis. Overall, 360 sera of pregnant women from 5 cities in the Hormozgan Province in southern Iran with different climate were evaluated from 2015-2016 for T. gondii infection by using ELISA method and positive cases of IgM and IgG were tested again using Avidity IgG ELISA. All cases were evaluated according to climate, acute and chronic of toxoplasmosis, number of pregnancy and abortion, epidemiological factors and food habits. Among 360 specimens T. gondii IgG + IgM antibodies were found positive in 0. 8% subjects and also 27% of samples had IgG seropositivity. A significant relationship was observed between age, sampling place, consumption of raw and half cooked meat, history of contact with cats, abortion history, number of children, and parity with IgG positive. In Avidity IgG ELISA test, 13 people with low avidity, 3 people with borderline avidity were reported. 72. 2% of the population had no antibody against the disease that this could be a warning to the people and requires education of preventive and prenatal care and routine screening of women at childbearing age.