Volume 25 , Issue 2 , December 2023 , Pages 460-470
Zaynab Yaseen Ahmed 1 ; Ahmed Akil Khudhair 1
1 Medical Microbiology Department, College of Health Sciences, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite responsible for
causing congenital toxoplasmosis. Congenital infection during the first and second
trimesters of pregnancy may result in spontaneous abortion, mental retardation, and
cerebral calcifications, while the severity of fetal damage is decreased during the third
trimester. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of
toxoplasmosis and its association with clinical-obstetric determinants and
sociodemographic factors in aborted women. Materials and Methods: The present
study was a Hospital-based Cross-sectional Study comprised 100 women who admitted
to Erbil Maternity Hospital with a spontaneous abortion. A questionnaire was filled by
the researchers after verbal consent, and 5 ml of venous blood was collected from each
participant, centrifuged at 3500 rpm, and stored in 2 Eppendorf tubes, and tested by
ELISA and Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay by Cobas e 411 for Toxoplasma
IgG and IgM according to Manufacturer’s instructions. Results: The highest
seroprevalence for toxoplasmosis was observed in illiterate females aged 26-35 and
living in Erbil City's urban areas. A statistically significant association was recorded
regarding seropositivity to Toxoplasma IgG and having a history of abnormal babies
(P=0.023), Toxoplasma IgG seropositivity and a history of having toxoplasmosis
(P=0.016), and seropositivity to Toxoplasma IgM and parity of the females (P=0.037).
Conclusions: Screening for toxoplasmosis during pregnancy is crucial for all women for
the prevention of disease progression. Although there are various screening methods for
the detection of toxoplasmosis, not all the methods are applicable and financially suitable
for the patients.