Background
and objective: Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan that infects at least 30-60 percent
of human beings in many countries including Iran. The present study was aimed
to determine the seroprevalence of anti-toxoplasma IgG and IgM immunoglobulins
in pregnant women and their newborns, as well as to investigate its association
with some potential epidemiological factors.
Materials
and Methods: Sera
of 333 blood samples of pregnant mothers and their infants' umbilical cords
were examined for IgG and IgM immunoglobulins against toxoplasma gondii using
commercial ELISA kits. Data on some potential
epidemiological parameters of infection were recorded.
Results: only 73 cases out of 240 (30.4%)
mother blood samples and 83 cases out of 254 (32.7%) umbilical
cords samples had detectable IgG antibodies against toxoplasma gondii. On other
hand, only one (0.3%) umbilical cord sample were positive for IgM Immunoglobulins. Positive IgG results had
statistically significant associations with job, educational levels, residence in rural or urban area
and close contact with cats. Odds ratio of infection in housewives was 3.8
times of non-housewives, in rural women was 2.24 times of urban women, and in
those with close cat contacts was 1.84 times of those without contact.
Conclusions: Despite unfavorable environmental
conditions, Kerman province is suitable for toxoplasma infection. Living in
rural area, close contact with cats, being housewife and lower literacy are the
main risk factors for infection acquisition.
Key
words: Toxoplasma,
Congenital toxoplasmosis, Umbilical cord
Funding: This project was financially supported by Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences
Conflict
of interest: Authors have no conflict of
interest to declare
Ethical
approval: The research proposal was reviewed and approved in institutional ethics
committee and research council of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences
.
How to cite this
article: Zavari T, Mirzaei S, Rezaeian M,
Zainodini N, Zare-Bidaki M. A Study of the
Seroprevalence of IgG and IgM Immunoglobulins Against Toxoplasma Gondii in
Pregnant Women Referred to Niknafs Maternity Ward of Rafsanjan City and in
Umbilical Cord of their Infants in 2013. J
RafsanjanUniv Med Sci 2015 14(6): 507-18. [Farsi]
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