Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in women of reproductive age in the North of Iran

Context: Toxoplasmosis in females plays a prominent role in fetal health owing to serious pathological problems including abortion, hydrocephaly, mental retardation, and chorioretinitis. Aims: The purpose of the present investigation was to study the seroprevalence and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in female population using ELISA and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques in Mazandaran Province, Iran. Setting and Design: This was a cross-sectional study on girls and women of childbearing age in Mazandaran Province from 2018 to 2019. Materials and Methods: A total of 500 serum samples were collected and studied employing ELISA and PCR assays. Prior to sampling, a questionnaire was filled out for each case. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test was used to analyze the obtained data, and associations were considered statistically significant at P < 0.05. Results: The total seroprevalence of the studied sera was 26.6% for IgG antibody, and also, 4.2% of the samples showed anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibody. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant relationship between seroprevalence of Toxoplasma and residential area and marital status. Genetic characterization of T. gondii revealed that 20% of the positive samples were Type II and 0.2% was Types I and II. Conclusions: The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in girls and women of childbearing age in the north of Iran is considerable. Residential area and consumption of vegetables are identified as potentially preventable risk factors for acquiring toxoplasmosis in Mazandaran Province.