8. Prevalence of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection in Females with Bad Obstetric History in Mardan District
Farhat Rehman, Naila Aslam and Fazal Rahim
ABSTRACT
Objective: Toxoplasma gondii infection is a potential threat in pregnant women leading to abortion, intrauterine fetal death and congenital toxoplasmosis in newborns. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women with history of recurrent pregnancy loss. Study Design: Cross sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Gynaecology and Obstetric outdoor department of Mardan Medical Complex and Teaching Hospital, Mardan from October 2016 to April 2017.
Materials and Methods: The study included 360 women of child bearing age from urban and rural areas of Mardan district. Study group comprised of 180 females with recurrent pregnancy loss. The control group included 180 females of approximately the same age and parity. After informed written consent, the obtained sera were examined for Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies by using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Toxo IgM and IgG index of 1 or greater were considered as positive for infection with the protozoan.
Results: The study group showed 6.9% (n=25) seropositivity for Toxo IgM antibodies, IgG antibodies were 15% (n=54), while, 1.9% (n=7) females showed both IgM and IgG antibodies in their serum. Over all seroprevelance was 40.5% among study group as compared to 7.2% among the controls. The incidence of infection was observed as increasing with advancing maternal age. High incidence of both IgM and IgG antibodies was found among women between 31 to 35 years age group.
Conclusion: The seroprevelance is much high as has been reported from other parts of the country. Therefore, it is now the time for further in depth studies regarding this hidden problem which is a potential risk for recurrent fetal loss in pregnant women.
Key Words: Toxoplasma gondii, IgM, IgG, antibodies, ELISA
Citation of articles: Rehman F, Aslam N, Rahim F. Prevalence of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection in Females with bad Obstetric History in Mardan District. Med Forum 2017;28(12):31-34.