Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women in Sanandaj, west of Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study

Summary Toxoplasma gondii is considered to be a significant concern because of its zoonotic potential. In Pregnant women with toxoplasmosis, the parasite can be transmitted to the foetus causing severe complications. This study aimed to estimate the seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis in Pregnant women who had referred to the Health Centers of Sanandaj in ۲۰۱۹. The study populations were women of child-bearing age (pregnant) aged between ۱۵ and ۴۴ years. Blood samples were collected from ۱۴۶ women visiting six health centers during April to November ۲۰۱۹. Then, the levels of IgG and IgM antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Out of ۱۴۶ samples, ۴۴ (۳۰.۱۴%) and ۴ (۲.۷۴%) cases were positive for IgG and IgM, respectively. The highest and lowest IgG antibody were found between the ages of ۳۵-۳۹ (۶۴.۲۸%) and ۱۵-۱۹ years old (۷.۱۴%), respectively. There was a significant relationship between the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and age (P˂ ۰.۰۵). Also, our results showed that all women had a history of raw vegetables consumption. No significant relationship was found between rate of toxoplasmosis and washing raw vegetable methods (P≥ ۰.۰۵).۶۹.۸۶% of the selected women were seronegative. Preventive measures should be an infection. Our results confirmed that Toxoplasma is a common parasitic infection among pregnant women in Sanandaj. Thus, it is necessary to avoid the risk factors before and during the pregnancy of women via health trainings.

کلیدواژه ها:

Pregnant Women ، Sanandaj ، Sereology ، Toxoplasmosis