Authors : M. Sharif, A. Ajami , A. daryani , H. Ziaei and A. Khalilian
Abstract: Toxoplasmosis has world wide distribution and in Iran its prevalence is high. Pregnant women infected with Toxoplasma gondii may be prone to abortion, fetal death, still birth or congenital toxoplasmosis. If we know the percentage of immune women, who are going to get married, we can determine the occurrence of abortion, still birth and fetal death due to toxoplasmosis and congenital toxoplasmosis. Women who are going to married and referred to the health center laboratory of different cities of Mazandaran state were studied. The samples comprised of 980 women from Sari, Ghaemshahr, Babol, Nowshahr, Noor and Behshar. Five mL blood was drawn; serum was separated and examined for antibody against toxoplasmosis by indirect immunofluorescence. First of all, 1/50 titer dilution was tested in the cases of positive result, further dilution was prepared and the last dilution was recorded. Serum of 731 samples (74.6%) were positive for toxoplasma antibody. Most of the samples (24 and 37%) were positive in 1:100 and 1:200 dilutions. With increase in the age of women, percentage of positive cases increased (87.9% of the women with age of 30-34 years were positive for toxoplasma antibody). 96.3% of uneducated women were positive for toxoplasma antibody. No difference between women in urban and rural areas, also between employed and housewife women were found. Toxoplasma infection is more prevalent in Mazandaran state than the other states of country. Since the prevalence rate of toxoplasmosis is high in women before marriage, we can conclude that the risk of abortion, still birth and fetal death due to toxoplasmosis and also congenital toxoplasmosis in this state is low. Therefore a health recommendation will prevent the risk of toxoplasmosis in women who are going to marry.
Sharif, M. , A. Ajami , A. daryani , H. Ziaei and A. Khalilian , 2006. Serological Survey of Toxoplasmosis in Women Referred to Medical Health Laboratory Before Marriage, Northern Iran, 2003-2004. International Journal of Molecular Medicine and Advance Sciences, 2: 134-137.