Abdelmageed Imam, Mohammed Al.
Serologic evidence of toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant females in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia.
Pak J Med Res Jan ;54(3):84-6.

Background: Acute primary maternal Toxoplasma gondii infection is a risk factor of congenital toxoplasmosis where the newborn may suffer visual and hearing loss, mental and psychomotor retardation, hepato-splenomegaly or death. Serologic testing for anti-Toxoplasma IgM and/or IgG antibodies is usually the initial step for diagnosing acute primary maternal toxoplasmosis. Objective: To determine the frequency of clinically suspected acute primary maternal toxoplasmosis in pregnant women of Qassim region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia using Toxoplasma IgM antibody testing. Materials and Methods: Case records were reviewed for the past 2 years on all pregnant women referred to Maternity & Children Hospital, Qassim and who were tested for anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies. Results: Out of a total 586 of pregnant women, 07 (1.2%) were found positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies. The positivity ranged from 1.30–2.20 and it varied with age. IgM positivity was highest (> 2.0) among women aged below 30 years. Conclusion: In this study, anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies were identified in 1.2% pregnant cases. Further tests are required to confirm vertical transmission of Toxoplasma gondii to the fetus.

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