[Seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii among females referred to Qazvin community-based medicine center for pre-marriage examinations]

ABSTRACT

Fetus in a pregnant woman is at high risk of congenital toxoplasmosis if the first exposure to Toxoplasma gondii occurs during pregnancy. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma in pre-marrigae females can reflect the high risk group in population. To identify the seropositivity rate of T- gondii in females referred to laboratory for pre-marriage examinations. This was a descriptive study performed on 400 pre-marriage females referred to Qazvin community-based medicine center in 2001. Indirect fluorescent antibody test was used to detect anti-toxoplasma IgG antibody titer in sera of the study population. IgG-IFA >/= 120 was considered as positive. The overall seropositivity rate was 34%. Mean age of seropostive females was significantly higher than in seronegative cases [P< 0.02]. Seropostivity rate was indicative of a significant negative correlation with education [P < 0.03]. There was no meaningful difference between the rural and urban residents, statistically. Based on data found in our study, emphasis on educational program for women at their pre-marriage ages to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis is suggested