Sayed Hussain Mosawi - Medical Sciences Research Center, Ghalib University, Kabul, Afghanistan
Mareena Rassoli - Medical Sciences Research Center, Ghalib University, Kabul, Afghanistan
Negina Zekria - Medical Sciences Research Center, Ghalib University, Kabul, Afghanistan

Background and Aim : The obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii has acosmopolitan distribution and the capacity to infect all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Theparasite and the disease are neglected, which is illustrated by the lack of baseline information on theprevalence from many regions. Developed, peaceful regions are in better situation to address toxoplasmosis,while the neglected status is particularly pronounced in regions with other challenges. Due to the lack ofbaseline data, these regions are rarely mentioned in discussions about the neglected status of the disease. Adramatic manifestation of toxoplasmosis, congenital toxoplasmosis, is the dreaded outcome of verticaltransmission of the infection from the mother to the unborn child. For this reason, pregnant women are akey target group for primary prevention of T. gondii.Methods : In this cross-sectional molecular epidemiology study, we estimated Toxoplasma gondiiprevalence in pregnant women in Kabul, Afghanistan. A nested PCR was performed on P1 gene of T.gondii.Results : Altogether 64 of the103 peripheral blood samples from pregnant women included in the studytested positive for B1 gene nested PCR T. gondii, yielding an apparent prevalence estimate of 62.1%.Conclusion : Our study is the first molecular epidemiology report of T. gondii in pregnant women inAfghanistan. The high prevalence indicates substantial infection pressure in the region. PCR testing maybe useful for detection of the disease in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan, Toxoplasma gondii, PCR , pregnant women