Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Shaqra University, P.O. Box 1040, Ad-Dawadimi 11911, Saudi Arabia.
2
Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
3
The National Center for Genomic Technology, King Abdulaziz for Science and technology, P.O. Box 6086, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia.
4
Department of Microbiology and Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 400, AlAhsa 31982, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
The present study investigated the seroprevalence of two antibodies (anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM) among the pregnant women in Ad-Dawadimi City, along with possible risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii. A total of 461 pregnant women were enrolled at various stages of pregnancy, either asymptomatic or having clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of toxoplasmosis (fever, lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and rash). A short face to face questionnaire interview for pregnant women was carried out to obtain information regarding T. gondii infection. Out of the 461 blood samples tested, 189 (40.9%) were seropositive for specific anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. But, none of the women had positive IgM results. Seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies was high among pregnant women and the prevalence showed a corresponding increase as the age of the pregnant women increases. This study shows that
Toxoplasmosis is an endemic disease in Ad-Dawadimi city. Thus, an awareness creation program on the modes of transmission and prevention of T. gondii among women of child bearing age in general and pregnant women in particular should be organized during the antenatal care follow up.
Keywords
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