Sero-prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies among Aborted Women in Atbara Area-River Nile State

Abstract

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Atbara area- River Nile state duringthe period from February to November 2017. The aim of this study was to determine the sero-prevalence of toxoplasmosis among aborted women. One hundred and fifty twowomen with the age ranged between 25-49 years old of mean age was 38+10 were included. Blood samples were taken from all women. All samples were examined to detectToxoplasmagondii antibodies by using latex, ICT and ELISA techniques. The study showed that the overall sero-prevalence of Toxoplasma parasite by different techniques was as follows: 35.5% by ELISA technique, 33.6% by Latex agglutination technique and 22.4% by ICT technique. The study revealed that the sero-prevalence of toxoplasmosis antibodies increased gradually with age reaching 54.6% in the age group 41-49years old followed by 32.9% in age group 31-40years old and 12.5% in age group20-30years old. Assuming ELISA technique as the gold standard method, the sensitivity and specificity of the latex technique were 94 % and 100% respectively and for ICT technique were 64 % and 100 % respectively. The study found that toxoplasmosis antibodies were more prevalent in women who contact with cats than in women who do not contact with cats. This study recorded a high sero-prevalence (35.5%) for Toxopalsmagondii. The study indicated that toxoplasmosis still exists and considered as one of the risk factors for pregnancy miscarriage. The study recommended that IgG and IgM tests for toxoplasmosis be considered as one of the routine tests for pregnant women and those coming to marry.