Author/Authors :
Davami, M.H. jahrom university of medical sciences - Zoonoses Research Centre - Department of Microbiology, ايران , Pourahamd, M. jahrom university of medical sciences - Department of Microbiology, Department of Internal Medicine, ايران , Sotoodeh Jahromi, A.R. jahrom university of medical sciences - Zoonoses Research Centre - Department of Microbiology, ايران , Tadayon, S.M.K. jahrom university of medical sciences - Department of Surgery, ايران
Abstract :
Infection with Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy can lead to severe fetal sequelae. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine T. gondii seropositivity among a sample of young women in Jahrom, Islamic Republic of Iran. Four hundred and three young women with a mean age of 20.3 years who presented for pre-marriage laboratory testing were entered in the study. T. gondii antibodies (IgG and IgM) were measured using ELISA. Of the 403 women, 15% were seropositive for T. gondii antibodies (13% for IgG and 2% for IgM). Seropositivity for T. gondii IgG differed according to age groups but there was no significant difference (P = 0.83). IgM seropositivity showed the highest rate among women aged 20 years. Many young women in Jahrom Province are susceptible to primary toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, therefore, appropriate educational programmes to improve knowledge in this population should be implemented to prevent toxoplasmosis-related congenital malformations.
