Prevalence of Toxoplasma Gondii in Pregnant Women : Toxoplasmosis in pregnant women

Toxoplasma gondii is a well-known obligate intracellular protozoan pathogen of virtually all warm-blooded animals and commonly infects humans worldwide. Toxoplasma gondii infection can cause severe sickness in host species. Acute infection of toxoplasmosis in early pregnancy of women carries the peril of transmitting the infection to the fetus with serious problems. Present study was conducted to find out seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women of the Lady Willingdon hospital Lahore. Serological testing was performed on 86 pregnant women. ELISA technique was used to determine IgG Toxoplamsa gondii antibodies. Overall 22% pregnant women showed specific Toxoplasma IgG antibodies. All samples were categorized into two major age groups. Prevalence was higher (29%) in pregnant women of older age group (29-39 years). Whereas seroprevalence was found low (18%) in other age group (18-28 years). Similarly high seroprevalence was detected in third trimester of pregnancy as compared to first and second trimester of pregnancy. Decrease in hemoglobin level of seropositive women was also observed. Some miscarriages were also recorded in seropositive cases.