Seroprevalence of low avidity anti-Toxoplasma IgG in pregnant women and its relationship with their age and contact with cats
https://doi.org/10.47665/tb.37.4.1038
- Author:
Khan, K.
1
;
Khan, W.
1
;
Khan, T.
2
;
Naaz, G.
3
;
Naheda, A.
1
;
Aqeel, S.
1
Author Information
1. Section of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
3. Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2020;37(No.4):1038-1049
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that can infect all mammals, serving as
intermediate hosts. The cause of congenital toxoplasmosis is transplacental transmission of
the parasite to the foetus, resulting in wide range of manifestations from mild chorioretinitis
to miscarriage. Its frequency can be reduced by early screening of pregnant women which is
based mainly on tests for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies. We collected serum samples of 594
pregnant women (subjects) after taking their consent over a period of two years (2016-2018)
and analyzed them for anti-Toxoplasma IgG by ELISA. The positive samples were then
analyzed for IgG avidity test which could differentiate between recent and past infections.
The seroprevalence was also correlated with the age of the subjects and their contact with
cats. 162 subjects were found positive out of which only three showed a recent infection.
After following up until delivery, one of them delivered a baby who had jaundice and was
diagnosed with anti-Toxoplasma IgM at birth. The foetus of the second subject died in-utero,
while the third woman delivered a normal baby after being given spiramycin when diagnosed
with toxoplasmosis in the first trimester. It was found that most of the positive subjects had
frequent contact with cats. Invasion of the parasite during third trimester resulted in death
in-utero and jaundice. Most common cause of pregnancy wastage during our study was
spontaneous abortions while pregnancy loss due to congenital anomalies was rare.
- Full text:8.2020my1188.pdf
