Umar Aleem, Sana Ullah, Muhammad Qasim, Muhammad Suliman.
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis in Pregnant Women in Matta, Upper Swat,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
J Saidu Med Col Jan ;8(2):103-6.

Background: Toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic disease. It is essential to detect anti-Toxoplasma immunoglobulin (IgM) and IgG in pregnant women for diagnosis of T. gondii infection. Acquired Toxoplasmosis can lead to fetal infection, which may ultimately result in loss of fetus or lesion in brain and eyes. Objectives: In the present study seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis in pregnant women of Matta, District Swat was assessed. Materials & Methods: Serum samples of 360 pregnant women attending the local hospital were screened for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies using latex agglutination test. Data regarding risk factors was collected through questionnaire. Results: The overall seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasmaantibodies was 47.2% (170 positive sera out of 360). Prevalence of T. st nd rd gondii infection was high at 1 Trimester (61.7%) than in 2 Trimester (58.4%)) and 3 Trimester (27.7%). Seroprevalence (54.7%) in age group (18-25) was high as compared to (38.8%) in age group (26-33). High prevalence was found in uneducated (66.01%) as compared to educated (22.07%). Conclusion: The results of current study revealed that pregnant women are more vulnerable to Toxoplasma gondii infection. This indicates a need to provide health education to pregnant women and control measure should be made in the District Swat.

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