Seromolecular study on the prevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women referred to a gynecology hospital in Urmia, northwest part of Iran in 2022

Abstract

Abstract Toxoplasmosis is a frequent infection among the human population. The infection can cause devastating complications for the fetus during pregnancy. The present study aimed to determine the serological and molecular prevalence of the infection and molecular characterization of Toxoplasma gondii isolates among pregnant women referred to Kowsar Hospital, Urmia, Iran. In a cross-sectional study, 340 blood samples were collected from pregnant women referred to Kowsar Hospital, Urmia, Iran from May to July 2022. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM seropositivity were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. PCR was carried out by targeting the GRA6 gene of the parasite on all patients’ buffy coats. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were positive in two (0.6%) women, and 101 (29.7%) women had anti-T. gondii IgG and 70.3% were seronegative. PCR was positive in two IgM-positive women, and both isolates belonged to T. gondii carrying the GRA6 allele of lineage I. The risk of infection was significantly higher in women who had constant contact with cats and soil, and who were residents of rural areas. The two IgM-positive women were asymptomatic regarding acute toxoplasmosis. According to the results of the present study, the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in Urmia is similar to its prevalence in other areas in northwestern Iran, and despite the low prevalence of acute infection, it should not be ignored.

Keywords

• Toxoplasma gondii
• Acute infection
• Genotype
• Pregnant women
• Iran