Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in unmarried women in Qazvin, Islamic Republic of Iran

ABSTRACT

In a cross-sectional study, we evaluated the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among 400 women referred to Qazvin community health centre laboratory for pre-marriage examinations. Indirect immunofluorescent antibody test was used to detect IgG anti-toxoplasma. Titres >/= 1 20 were considered positive. The overall seropositivity was 34%. Mean age was significantly higher in seropositive women [P < 0.05]. Seropositivity was highest among unemployed women [38.3%] and lowest among students [22.6%], and was significantly higher in women with less than high-school education [P < 0.05]. With two-thirds of these unmarried women seronegative, they represent a high-risk group in pregnancy. Such women need to be educated to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis