Associated Antenatal Health Risk Factors with Incidence of Toxoplasmosis in Egyptian Pregnant Women.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The major maternal toxoplasmosis infection during pregnancy is regularly related to trans-placental transmission to the embryo and newly-borne child. This cross-section study was performed to investigate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women attending antennal health centers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The IgM antibodies against Toxoplasma were quantitatively determined by commercially available kits, while IgG antibodies and avidity (AV) of Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG antibodies were quantitatively determined by using of conventional ELISA.

RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii IgM among the investigated pregnant women was much higher than toxoplasma IgG with low IgG avidity representing acute infection with possibility of risk to the mother, embryo and newly-borne child. Results also showed that highest Toxoplasma prevalence was among pregnant women with history of intake of immunosuppressive drugs and abortion, having cats and animals in their households and in the 1st and 2nd trimesters.

CONCLUSION: The high infection prevalence of T. gondii among the Egyptian pregnant women in Giza governorate revealed the risk of premature termination of pregnancy due to exposure of T. gondii infection.