Immunohistochemical demonstration of toxoplasma antigen in the placenta of cases of abortion

ABSTRACT

The sera of 65 women presenting with abortion and 30 women with normal obstetric history were examined for Toxoplasma antibodies using IHAT. The level of Toxoplasma antibodies was significantly higher in cases of abortion than in normal control. Sixteen formalin fixed paraffin- embedded placenta [representing negative and positive cases for toxoplasmosis] were examined by immunoperoxidase procedure to detect Toxoplasma antigen in tissues. They were also examined histopathologically [by HX and E.]. Toxoplasma antigen could be detected in the placenta of all cases with high titer. In all sero- negative cases, Toxoplasma antigen could not be detected. Out of six cases with low or moderate titer, one case only showed Toxoplasma antigen in the placenta. The histopathological studies of seropositive cases revealed a picture of villitis in the form of slight villous oedema with scattered mononuclear cellular infiltration mainly of lymphocytes and plasma cells. The data proved the usefulness of immunoperoxidase procedure as a specific and sensitive test to confirm the diagnosis of serologically positive toxoplasmosis in high titer