Toxoplasmosis: Seroprevalence in Women of Reproductive Age and Approach in Pregnancy

Authors : Aybegüm Özşahin, Sudem Mahmutoğlu Çolak, Tuba Ilgar, İlknur Esen Yıldız, Uğur Kostakoğlu, Ayşe Ertürk

Pages : 76-80

Doi:10.38175/phnx.1454937

View : 31 | Download : 97

Publication Date : 2024-07-04

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitosis that is mostly asymptomatic. It can lead to severe clinical conditions in immunosuppressed patients and fetal infections. Since it is possible to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis with appropriate follow-up and treatment, our study aimed to determine the susceptible population and seroprevalence of our region and to evaluate the course of infections in this group. Material and Method: Patients who applied to our tertiary hospital in the last five years and to whose Anti Toxoplasma IgM and IgG tests were performed were included in our study. Toxoplasmosis seroprevalence, the course of primary infection in pregnant women, the treatments applied, and also acute toxoplasmosis infections in non-pregnant patients were examined. Results: The seropositivity rate was found to be 30.7% (n=1703) in 5545 women included in the study, and the seropositivity rate was 31% (n=1399) in 4503 pregnant women. Sixteen pregnant women with primary infection were followed up in our hospital; one underwent medical abortion at the request of the family, and only four used the recommended treatment. Congenital toxoplasmosis was not detected in any newborn. Of the patients included, 26 (0.4%) were examined to investigate the etiology of fever, 37 (0.6%) for lymphadenopathy (LAP), and 29 (0.5%) for elevated liver enzymes. Among the patients with LAP, four (10.8%) were diagnosed with acute toxoplasmosis. Conclusion: As a result, it is important to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis, to detect possible primary infections, especially in pregnant women, and ensure close monitoring of these patients.
Keywords : Konjenital Toksoplazmoz, Seroloji, Ateş, Lenfadenopati