Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis in Pregnant Women in Urmia, Iran

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasitic protozoan, capable of infecting a wide range of warm-blooded hosts, including humans. Infection with T. gondii can be life threatening in immunocompromised people. Moreover, infection with T. gondii during pregnancy can lead to severe problems for fetus. Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the seroepidemiological status of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in Urmia, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 156 serum samples were selected randomly from pregnant females and their anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies were screened using routine commercial ELISA kits. The probable risk factors related to toxoplasmosis were asked and collected in pregnant women of Urmia. Results: Of the 156 sera, 44 were positive for T. gondii IgG antibodies and 112 were negative. The mean age of women was 19.68 and the rate of IgM-positive cases for T. gondii infection was 2.6%. Conclusions: According to our study, Toxoplasma regular screening program in pregnant women is strongly recommended, since a considerable number of pregnantwomenin our area are susceptible to infection with acute T. gondii over the course of pregnancy.