SEROPREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII INFECTION AMONG CHILDBEARING AGE WOMEN IN KERMAN CITY, SOUTHEASTERN IRAN

Background and Aim:Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous obligatory intracellular coccidian protozoan organism found throughout the world that infects a wide range of warm-blooded animals and approximately one-third of the world s human population. The present investigation aims to determine the prevalence of IgM and IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies and the associated risk factors among childbearing age women referring to counseling centers before marriage in Kerman city, southeast of Iran.Methods:Totally, 300 serum samples were collected from women referred to Central Laboratory for Marriage Consultation in Kerman city were screened for IgG and IgM anti-T. gondii antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results:Out of the 300 serum samples, 38 (12.6 %) tested seropositive for anti-T. gondii antibodies; 31 (10.3 %) samples tested seropositive for only IgG antibody, 1 (0.33 %) tested seropositive for both IgM and IgG and 6 (2.0 %) were positive for IgM antibody alone. Statistical analyses also indicated that seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies increased with age (p <0.05). Moreover, some risk factors such as, living in rural regions, contact with cats, raw/half-cooked meat consumption, and agricultural activities were significantly (p <0.05) related to T. gondii seropositivity.Conclusion:The findings revealed that more than three-quarters of the childbearing age women studied in the present investigation are sus- ceptible to infection during pregnancy. Thus, by adopting correct and improved practices we can improve their living conditions, and prevent infection and awareness and con- trol of pathogens associated with disease is recommended.

Keywords:

Toxoplasmosis , IgG antibody , IgM antibody , ELISA