Prevalence of IgM Antibodies to Toxoplasma, Rubella and Cytomegalovirus Infections During Pregnancy

ABSTRACT

The present study was conducted to find out the prevalence of IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma, Rubella and Cytomegalovirus in women with Bad Obstetric History (BOH) in and around Amritsar. Over a period of one year, 200 serum samples were collected from pregnant women having BOH and 100 serum samples were collected from pregnant women without BOH. Out of 200 sera, from women with BOH 137 (68.5%) were positive for Toxoplasma, Rubella and CMV alone or in combination. IgM seropositivity to Toxoplasma was 42.5%, Rubella was 17.5% and CMV was 29.5%. The highest percentage of these antibodies to Toxoplasma, Rubella and CMV was in cases of abortions i.e. 71.8%, 59.9% and 61% respectively. The study shows that there is a strong association of these agents with BOH. Thus, screening and early diagnosis for these agents in women can help in proper management of these cases.