SEROPREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII IN SPONTANEOUS ABORTIONS IN PREGNANT WOMEN

INTRODUCTION: Toxoplasmosis is one of the diseases comprising the TORCH [Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex virus] infections. It is known to cause perinatal death if the organism is acquired during pregnancy. Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy can cause congenital infection which may result in mental retardation and blindness in the infant. The present study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and it is associated risk factors among the women with history of spontaneous abortion. MATERIALS & METHODS: A total of 60 women with past or present history of spontaneous abortion and another 60 pregnant women without any bad obstetric history as control attending our hospital were included in the study. All the serum samples were tested for the presence of specific Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies using the On Site Toxo IgG/IgM Rapid Test strip, a lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay. RESULTS: Total seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in the study was 12.5%. Total seropositivity in women with history of spontaneous abortion was 12(20%) and 3(5%) among control group. More number of seropositivity was observed among women between 26 to 30 years (60%). Risk factor of having cat as pet animal had greater association of getting toxoplasmosis. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was significantly high in the study population than in control group. There should be routine screening for antenatal women with bad obstetric history.