Investigation of Toxoplasma gondii in Pregnant Women: A Strategy for Personalized Medicine

Introduction: In this study, we evaluated the Seroepidemiology of T. gondii among۴۷۰ pregnant women as well as association of infection with socio-demographic factors and risk factors such as age, and education was studied, which makes it a potential therapeutic option for personalized medicine. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among ۴۷۰ pregnant women who presented to health centers from February ۲۰۱۳ to January ۲۰۱۴. Serum samples were prepared via a commercial ELISA kit (Euroimmun, Germany) for the attendance of IgG and IgM toxoplasma antibodies and the avidity of the IgG antibody based on the manufacturer’s protocol. Results: We found ۳۴.۴% of Toxoplasma IgG. Among ۴۷۰ pregnant women, ۱۶۶ cases positive for IgG antibodies toxoplasma were detected, showing a serum incidence of ۳۵.۳۱% (۹۵% confidence interval ۲۷.۸ to ۳۷.۰۶%),and thirty eight (۲۲.۸۹%) out of ۱۶۶ IgG-positive women revealed specific IgM antibodies. Conclusions: Our data showed that the prevalence of T. gondii infection is not related to age, gestational age, number of pregnancies, history of abortion, contact with soil, life in rural areas and education related to infection. as well as these findings may be of major interest for the select of the first-line anti-infection drug, and the urgent require for developing personalized medicine.

Keywords:

Toxoplasma , Infection , Antibodies , Seroprevalence , Personalized Medicine