Investigation of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women and slaughtered animals

ABSTRACT

A total of 21 women with complicated pregnancy [abortion, premature labor and genital disorders] together with 51 with normal pregnancy from Beni-Suef Governorate hospitals were investigated for detection of anti-toxoplasma antibodies level by ELISA [IgM and IgG]. Tissues [diaphragm, masseter and thigh muscles] from slaughtered animals [60 cattle, 97 sheep and 26 camels] were collected from Beni-Suef abattoir for detection of Toxoplasma cyst [bradyzoites] using bioassay in mice. The results showed that all controls [normal pregnancy] were 1gM negative, however 19 [37.25%] were IgG positive. As to the women with complicated pregnancy 3/21 or 14.28% were IgM positive and 15/21 or 71.42% were IgG positive. The epidemiological survey revealed that the risk factors associated with Toxoplasma infection in humans were contact with cat, eating raw or undercooked meat and other uncertain factors. Concerning meat, Toxoplasma cysts [bradyzoites] were detected only in sheep meat at a rate 15.46% but failed detection in bovine and camel meat. However, as T. gondii was principally detectable in sheep meat, the consumption of such meat harbors a potential infection risk for humans