title: Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Pregnant Women and Bioassay of IgM Positive Cases in Zanjan, Northwest of Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to determine the Toxoplasma antibodies in pregnant women in Zanjan, by ELISA method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples were taken from 500 pregnant women referred to the health centers of Zanjan City, North West Iran, IgM and IgG titers were primarily evaluated. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS 11.5 using Chi-Square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anti Toxoplasma IgM and IgG were positive in 1.4% and 37.2% respectively. Seropositive subjects were more frequently seen in those with >30 years old compared to younger women (<20 years old). No significant relationship was found between the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and level of education, residence area, history of abortion and gestational age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rate of IgM positive was low; however, a large number of the studied population were IgG positive, indicative of having a latent infection due to the past exposure to Toxoplasma parasite in this region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hajsoleimani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ataeian
authors.forename: Aa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nourian
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazloomzadeh
keywords: ELISA; Iran; Pregnant women; Prevalence; Toxoplasma gondii