Study on prevalence and vertical transmission rate of Toxoplasma gondii infections among parturient women in Wuhu City / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the prevalence and vertical transmission rate of Toxoplasma gondii infections among in parturient women in Wuhu City, so as to provide reference for the prevention and control of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in the city. Methods Parturient women’s venous blood samples and neonatal heel blood samples were collected in Wuhu City and prepared into filter-paper blood samples. The prevalence and vertical transmission rate of T. gondii infections were detected using the loop -mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay among the parturient women. Results There were three positive samples detected in the 475 filter-paper blood samples from the parturient women, with a mean positive rate of 0.63%. The prevalence of T. gondii infection was 0 in pregnant women at ages of < 20 years (0/5) and at an advanced maternal age (0/24), while the prevalence was 0.67% (3/446) in pregnant women at an appropriate maternal age. T. gondii infection was detected in 2 filter-paper blood samples from newborns, with a vertical transmission rate of 66.67%. Conclusions There is T. gondii infection in the parturient women and a high vertical transmission rate of T. gondii infection is detected in Wuhu City. The awareness of the potential risk factors of toxoplasmosis should be improved among pregnant women to prevent the damages of toxoplasmosis to humans.