ABSTRACT

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by a protozoon, Toxoplasma gondii. Infection acquired during pregnancy may cause intrauterine damage and sequelae in the newborn. In this study, IgG-avidity values were investigated in 695 pregnant women who were anti-T. gondii IgG antibody positive and the results obtained were evaluated. It has been found that the IgG of 492 women (70.8%) had high avidity, of 33 (4.7%), low avidity and that of 170 (24.5%) was in an equivocal range. Our results indicated that the IgG-avidity test must be carried out in pregnant women positive for anti-T. gondii IgG even if they are IgM antibody negative.

Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, IgG-avidity