Hematological Changes during Chronic Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Pregnant Women in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate parasite and intracellular protozoans infect all kinds of animals and humans. The aim of the present study was to determine whether there was any effect on complete blood count parameters in the blood of pregnant women. A case-control study was performed in pregnant women divided into two groups according to their age: group one (17-27 years) and group two (28-45 years). A total of 130 pregnant women participated in the present study. A questionnaire was used to collect the data. IgG and IgM ELISAs were performed to detect antibodies against T. gondii and differentiate between acute and chronic diseases. The results showed a significant change in monocytes in the younger infected group (p<0.05). In the older infected group, WBCs were significantly reduced (p<0.05), while neutrophils also decreased significantly in the infected group (p<0.05). Moreover, the association between decreased HCV and infection with T. gondii was significant (p<0.05). A relationship between the decrease in MCH and T. gondii infection was found in group two (p<0.05). An increase in MPV and infection with T. gondii in group two was found to be significantly associated (p<0.05). In the current study, anemia was associated with chronic T. gondii infection.