Prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis among a series of Turkish women.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy causes congenital malformations. Pregnant women should be screened for this infection since it is preventable and treatable. AIM: To study the sero prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women living in lzmir, Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A blood sample was obtained from 4651 women aged between 15 and 45 years, during their first trimester of pregnancy. IgM and IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii were measured using an ELISA assay. Among women with both IgG and IgM antibodies positive, an IgG avidity test was performed, using a VIDAS kit. RESULTS: IgG antibodies were positive in 1871 (39.9%) participants. Of these, 48 (2.5%) also had positive IgM antibodies. In 41 of these 48 women, the IgG avidity test was performed and only one woman had a low avidity. This woman was treated with Spiramycin. Her offspring had an intrauterine growth retardation and oligohydramnios. A chorioretinitis was diagnosed in the offspring of other woman with both antibodies positive. CONCLUSIONS: In this series, the prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis was low. However, women with positive antibodies against Toxoplasma Gondii should be further studied and followed during their pregnancy.

Prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis among a series of Turkish women / Prevalencia de toxoplasmosis congénita en una serie de mujeres en Turquía

Background: Toxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy causes congenital malformations. Pregnant women should be screened for this infection since it is preventable and treatable. Aim: To study the sero prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women living in lzmir, Turkey. Material and Methods: A blood sample was obtained from 4651 women aged between 15 and 45years, during their first trimester of pregnancy. IgM and IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii were measured using an ELISA assay. Among women with both IgG and IgM antibodies positive, an IgG avidity test was performed, using a VIDAS kit. Results: IgG antibodies were positive in 1871 (39.9%) participants. Of these, 48 (2.5%) also had positive IgM antibodies. In 41 ofthese 48 women, the IgG avidity test was performed and only one woman had a low avidity. This woman was treated with Spiramycin. Her offspring had an intrauterine growth retardation and oligohydramnios. A chorioretinitis was diagnosed in the offspring of other woman with both antibodies positive. Conclusions: In this series, the prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis was low. However, women with positive antibodies against Toxoplasma Gondii should be further studied and followed during their pregnancy.

Antecedentes: La infección por Toxoplasma gondii durante el embarazo causa malformaciones congénitas. Se debe efectuar serologíapara esta infección en mujeres embarazadas ya que es prevenible y tratable. Objetivo: Estudiar la seroprevalencia de infección por Toxoplasma gondii en mujeres embarazadas que viven en Esmirna, Turquía. Material y Métodos: Se obtuvo una muestra de sangre en 4.651 mujeres cuyas edades fluctuaban entre 15 y 45, años, durante su primer trimestre de embarazo. Los anticuerpos IgM e IgG en contra de Toxoplasma gondii se midieron por ELISA. En mujeres que tenían anticuerpos IgG e IgM positivos, un ensayo de avidez de IgG se efectuó utilizando el kit VIDAS. Resultados: Los anticuerpos IgG fueron positivos en 1.871 participantes (39,9%). De estas, 48 (2,5%) también tenían anticuerpos IgM positivos. En 41 de estas 48 mujeres, se efectuó el test de avidez y sólo una tenía una baja avidez. Esta mujer se trató con espiramicina y su producto de concepción tuvo un retardo de crecimiento intrauterino y un oligohidroamnios. Una corioretinitis se diagnosticó en el producto de concepción de otra mujer con ambos anticuerpos positivos. Conclusiones: La seroprevalencia de toxoplasmosis congénita en esta serie de pacientes fue baja, sin embargo, las mujeres con anticuerpos positivos deben ser tratadas y seguidas.