Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies among newborns in Port-Said city

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out to detect the prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis among the newborns delivered at Port-Said General Hospital, and to reveal some factors related to the spread of this infection. The study included 200 cord blood samples taken from the newborns immediately after delivery. A case sheet was taken from each case including full obstetric history of the mother together with complete clinical examination of the newborns. Each blood sample was analyzed for Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies using ELISA. Positive cases for IgM antibodies were subjected to eye examination, skull X-ray, abdominal ultrasonography and CT scan for assessment of the clinical complications of congenital toxoplasmosis. It was found that 19 cases [9.5%] and 7 cases [3.5%] out of 200 cases were positive for IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. Out of the IgM seropositive newborns, 4 cases showed pathognomonic complications in the form of either hydrocephalus, meningoencephalitis, ocular [convergence squint] and/or abdominal [jaundice and splenomegaly] manifestations. Statistical analysis of the factors related to toxoplasmosis revealed significant relation to contact of mothers with cats, their illness during pregnancy [fever and lymphadenopathy] and the occurrence of congenital anomalies in the newborns. It was concluded that congenital toxoplasmosis among newborns in Port-Said city is not uncommon, and search for IgG and IgM antibodies before and/or during pregnancy is recommended especially in high risk groups