Seroprevalence of human Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women in Charsadda, KP, Pakistan

Seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and associated risk factors in pregnant women in Somalia

Toxoplasma gondii infection is a worldwide protozoan parasitic disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. T. gondii infection in gestation period can lead to fetal or neonatal death, and besides congenital defects. So far, there are no data available regarding T. gondii seropositivity and associated risk factors in pregnant women in Somalia. The investigations of these aspects were done in 403 pregnant women attending the antenatal care (ANC) at Benadir hospital, in Mogadishu city. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for anti-T. gondii antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IgG seropositivity to T. gondii was 45.2% (182/403). None of the women were positive for IgM antibodies. Considering the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy, women IgG seropositivity was 44.2%, 26.3%, and 67.7%, respectively (p < 0.05). There was no significant association between seropositivity and age, sociodemographic features, history of abortion, presence of cats in house, contact cats feces, contact with soil, consumption of raw vegetables/meats, blood transfusion, and drinking of unboiled milk (p>0.05). Routine serological screening for T. gondii should be integrated with other ANC services to identify potential infections with the parasite.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among Pregnant Women in Ardabil, Iran (2021-2022)

Background

Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy can causes adverse outcomes. Regarding its importance in prenatal care, seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women was studied in Ardabil City, during 2021-2022.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study with a cluster sampling, 244 pregnant women that attended in health care centers of Ardabil City, Ardabil Province, Iran in 2021-2022 were selected. Serum samples were collected and Anti-Toxoplasma IgM (immunoglobulin M) and IgG (immunoglobulin G) was detected. Furthermore, a questionnaire filled for all participants during samples collection and risk factors assessed. Data were analyzed by SPSS software.

Results

Participant's age ranged from 16 to 43 years with average of 23± 5.24 years. IgG anti-T. gondii antibody was detected in 22.1% of pregnant women (54/244). In none of participants IgM anti-Toxoplasmosis antibody was detected. There was no significant relationship between demographic variables and risk factors of toxoplasmosis with serology test results.

Conclusion

Approximately, 77.9% of pregnant women had no antibody against the T. gondii infection. Therefore, health education, counseling of pregnant women and screening in high-risk pregnant women is recommended to prevent from fetal complications.

Epidemiology of Toxoplasmosis among the Pakistani Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular obligate parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic infection that affects warm-blooded animals and humans worldwide. To comprehensively characterize the disease condition in Pakistan for future reference, we ascertained the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection and predisposing factors in the Pakistani population over a 20-year period. We systematically reviewed research articles published in English (2000−2020) from PubMed and Google Scholar. The search results 26 publications involving 10,924 people and 2611 seropositive cases. The toxoplasmosis seropositivity rate was higher in women (25.44%) as compared to men (21.48%) and were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Furthermore, seropositivity was high among people with direct contact with cats, who consumed uncooked meat and raw vegetables, had poor education, and lived in rural areas. The 35−65-year age group had the highest prevalence rate of T. gondii infection. Toxoplasma infection was significantly more prevalent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (25.87%) than in Punjab (20.42%) (p < 0.001). This is the first comprehensive analysis of T. gondii infection epidemiology in Pakistan. It reveals a high frequency of infection among women. We strongly encourage further research to aid patient care and the development of more efficient diagnostic tests and preventative techniques.

Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence among pregnant women in Rabat, Morocco

BACKGROUND

Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by a protozoan parasite named Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii). Pregnant women are considered one of the risk groups. The objective of this retrospective study is to provide an updated estimate of the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies among a group of Moroccan pregnant women monitored at the Parasitology Laboratory of the National Institute of Hygiene in Rabat in Morocco.

METHODS

Serum samples were tested for the presence of specific anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anti-Toxoplasma IgM- and IgG-positive cases were also evaluated with the anti-Toxoplasma IgG avidity test. All cases were evaluated according to the age, parity, and historical of abortion.

RESULTS

Among 677 pregnant women, 94.1% (637/677) were serologically screened for the first time and therefore had no knowledge of their serological status, and only 5.9% (40/677) were screened for the second or third time. The overall anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM seropositivity among the 637 pregnant women included in the study analysis was 43% (274/637) and 3.9% (25/637), respectively. The use of the IgG avidity test allowed excluding recent infection among 83% of cases with IgG and IgM positive sera. The mean age was 29.4 ± 6.3 years. The result of the bivariate analysis revealed that the age influenced significantly the seroprevalence rate, while the parity and the existence of previous spontaneous abortion did not have any significant statistical correlation with seropositivity to T. gondii.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that 43% of pregnant women were positive and 57% of them had no antibody against the T. gondii infection. However, the pregnancy follow-up and the counseling of pregnant women remain essential for the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis.