ABSTRACT

The aim of the previous study was to retrospectively analyze the seropositive rate of Toxoplasma among women of childbearing age who were suspected to have toxoplasmosis at the Microbiology Laboratory of Kocaeli Derince Education and Research Hospital.

The presence of Toxoplasma antibodies (IgM, IgG) with Axsym commercial ELISA kits between January 2009 and February 2011 and the presence of Toxoplasma antibodies (IgM, IgG) with Architect commercial ELISA kit between February 2011 and June 2012 were investigated in a total of 943 sera from women included in the study

The seropositive rate of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM in the study was 28.5% (N=741), 0.9% (N=898), respectively. Additionally, 10 samples (1.3%) were considered as border-line for IgG antibodies and 4 samples (0.4%) for IgM antibodies against T. gondii.

In general, 70.2% of women in the study were seronegative for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies; it can be concluded that most of them were sensitive to a newly acquired infection, and that their babies were at risk of congenital toxoplasmosis in case of a possible pregnancy. In conclusion, the present study suggested that toxoplasmosis was still an emerging public health problem in study area, and particularly, women of reproductive age should be warned and informed about toxoplasmosis. (Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2014; 38: 223-7)

Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, seropositive rate, Kocaeli Derince