Toxoplasma seroepidemiology in women who intend to marry in Jahrom, Islamic Republic of Iran
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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 malformationsCitation
Davami, M.H., Pourahamd, M., Sotoodeh Jahromi, A.R. & Tadayon, S.M.K. (2013). Toxoplasma seroepidemiology in women who intend to marry in Jahrom, Islamic Republic of Iran. EMHJ - Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 19 (Supp.2), 1-7, 2013 https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/118600