This paper should be cited as: Ebrahimzadeh, A. Mohammadi, S. Davoodi, T. Salimi Khorashad, A Jamshidi, A.

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasmosis among Pregnant Women Referring to the Reference Laboratory of Zahedan, Iran (2011)
 

 


Ebrahimzadeh, A. (PhD) *1, Mohammadi, S. (MSc) 2, Davoodi, T. (MSc)3, Salimi Khorashad, A. (MSc)4, Jamshidi, A. (MSc)5

 

1. Assistant Professor of Medical Parasitology, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

2. MSc of Medical Parasitology, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

3. MSc of Medical Parasitology, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

4. MSc of Medical Parasitology, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

5. MSc of Medical Parasitology, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

 

Abstract


Background and Objective: Toxoplasmosis is one of the most prevalent parasitic infections worldwide. Contamination of pregnant women with toxoplasmosis may cause fetal death, preterm delivery and congenital toxoplasmosis. Due to importance of congenital Toxoplasmosis and the need of further study, this research was accomplished in Zahedan.

Material and Methods:The serum samples (N= 221) were collected from pregnant women referring to reference laboratory of Zahedan in 2011.The IgG and IgM antibody levels against toxoplasmosis were investigated using ELISA method.

Results: Out of all samples, 30.8% are IgG positive and 1.4% are both IgG and IgM positive. There is no significant difference between positive and negative groups using Chi-square tests.

Conclusion: The main part of pregnant women in Zahedan (69.2%) is serologically negative against toxoplasmosis; therefore, hygiene education to eliminate risk factors especially during pregnancy period seems to be imperative.

Keywords: ELISA;Antibody;Pregnancy; Toxoplasma; Zahedan

 

Corresponding author:Ebrahimzadeh, A.

Email: ebrahimzadeh@zaums.ac.ir

Received: 13 Aug 2012 Revised:9 Jan 2013 Accepted: 30 Jan 2013