Prevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma infection – an update in Malaysian pregnant women
- Author:
Chemoh, W.
1
;
Nur Farhana, M.N.
2
;
Noor Azmi, M.A.
3
,
4
;
Si Lay, K.
3
,
4
;
Sawangjaroen, N.
5
;
Tan, T.C.
2
;
Chandramathi, S.R
6
;
Nissapatorn, V.
7
Author Information
1. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Princess of Naradhiwas University, Narathiwat 96000, Thailand
2. Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3. Department of Obstetrics &
4. Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
5. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
6. Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
7. School of Allied Health Sciences and 7Research Excellence Center for Innovation and Health Products (RECIHP), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80161, Thailand
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2019;36(3):694-702
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that is capable of causing a zoonotic
disease, known as toxoplasmosis. Vertical transmission of T. gondii from the mother to the
fetus, during pregnancy may cause severe complications to the developing fetus. This current
study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and investigate the associated risk factors of
Toxoplasma infection in pregnant women (n=219) visiting the antenatal clinic at UMMC.
While the elevated level of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies indicates the presence
of infection, it fails to differentiate between a past and a recent infection. Thus, the study
also demonstrates the usefulness of IgG avidity in validating the timing of infection. The
serum samples were tested for the presence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies by
ELISA test, and the seropositive samples for both anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies
were further evaluated by IgG avidity. The results showed that the overall prevalence of T.
gondii seropositivity was 34.7%. Of these, 30.6% (67/219) were positive for anti-Toxoplasma
IgG antibody only, 2.3% (5/219) were positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgM only, and the remaining
1.8% (4/219) was positive for both anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies. All of the pregnant
women who were positive for both anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibody were found to
have past infection when evaluated by IgG avidity. In this study, Malay ethnicity and the
number of existing previous children were significantly associated with T. gondii seropositivity
(p<0.05). Based on these findings, information and education on the transmission and
prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis are very crucial as a public health effort towards a
healthier society.
- Full text:8.2019my10551.pdf
