Seroepidemiology of Infection in Pregnant Women in West Iran: Determined by ELISA and PCR Analysis

Congenital toxoplasmosis can lead to severe damage for the fetus and newborn. Considering that the seroepidemiology of infection in the pregnant women is poorly studied in west of Iran, the main objective of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence and potential risk factors for congenital toxoplasmosis in Delfan, Iran. In this cross-sectional study, the serum samples obtained from pregnant women who were referred to health centers for routine monitoring of the pregnancy. Totally, 264 sera were screened for IgG and IgM anti- antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method. All women with IgM anti- positive checked by RT-PCR and confirmed. In addition, structured questionnaires were used to obtain information on risk factors for infection. Anti- IgG and IgM were positive in 66 (25 %) and 15 (5.7 %) respectively. Seropositive subjects were more frequently seen in those with >30 years old compared to younger women (<25 years old) ( < 0.001). No significant relationship was found between the seroprevalence of infection and level of education, and gestational age ( > 0.05), while there was statistical difference between the infection with cat exposure, consumption of raw/undercooked meat, eating raw or uncooked eggs, consumption of unwashed vegetables and drinking unpasteurized milk ( < 0.001). In the present study, it was found that infection was present among pregnant women in west of Iran. Therefore, it is suggested to provide health education for preventing primary infection during pregnancy and subsequently congenital toxoplasmosis in the pregnant women.