Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection in Women with First Trimester Spontaneous Miscarriage in Qena Governorate, Egypt

Introduction: To determine seroprevalence and risks factors for T gondii in women with early miscarriage, Sera of 76 women were analyzed infection by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seropositive cases were further examined histopathologically for evidence of Toxoplasma gondil organisms. Material and Methods: Demographic data were obtained from participants to gather information on risk factors. Result and Discussion: Of 76 women with spontaneous abortion screened for Toxoplasma-specific IgG and IgM antibodies with ELISA, 35 were IgG seropositive, of which, 14 samples were IgM seropositive. Therefore, seropositivity rates of 46.1% (95% Cl: 35.1%, 57.3%), and 18.4% (95% Cl: 10.89%, 28.32%) for IgG and IgM, respectively were found. These indicate that, 27.6 % (21 cases) of studied women (IgG+/IgM-) were immune to toxoplasmosis and 53.94 %(41 cases) were susceptible to primary infection (IgG-/IgM-). Mean while acute toxoplasmosis (IgG+/IgM+) was 18.4 %( 14 cases) with one case (1.3%) confirmed for recent infection as she had Tachyzoites on histopathology study. On the basis of multivariate logistic regression, living in a rural area was found to be the only independent predictor of toxoplasmosis (OR=3.800, Cl= 1.100-10.813, p=0.034). Conclusion: The seroprevalence of T gondii infection in women with first trimester abortion in Qena governorate of Egypt is high. Pregnant women living in rural area are at a higher risk for acquiring infection during pregnancy. Antenatal screening of pregnant women and educational program about risks for Toxoplasmosis in rural areas is needed.