Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among females referred to Qazvin community-based medicine center for pre-marriage examinations

Abstract

Abstract Background: Fetus in a pregnant woman is at high risk of congenital toxoplasmosis if the first exposure to Toxoplasma gondii occurs during pregnancy. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma in pre-marriage females can reflect the high risk group in population. Objective: To identify the seropositivity rate of T. gondii in females referred to laboratory for pre-marriage examinations. Methods: This was a descriptive study performed on 400 pre-marriage females referred to Qazvin community-based medicine center in 2001. Indirect fluorescent antibody test was used to detect anti-toxoplasma IgG antibody titer in sera of the study population. IgG-IFA 1:20 was considered as positive. Findings: The overall seropositivity rate was 34%. Mean age of seropositive females was significantly higher than in seronegative cases (P