title: Seroprevalence of Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies Among Pregnant Woman in South Khuzestan, Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute toxoplasmosis may lead to congenital toxoplasmosis with fetal complications outcome during pregnancy. Anti- Toxoplasma gondii antibody seroprevalence is unclear in pregnant women of south of Khuzestan province, since limited data about T. gondii seroepidemiology has been published in pregnant women of this area (Abadan, Shadegan, Khoramshar).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to clarify the status of T. gondii seroprevalence in pregnant women of south of Khuzestan province.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, 501 full-term pregnant women were included. This study was carried out in Taleghani teaching hospital for six 6 months from May to October 2011. Informed consents signed by the patients were obtained. Blood IgG and IgM were measured using ELISA technique. The data was analyzed by SPSS 13 (Chicago, IL, USA). Chi-square test was used for comparison.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The participants' age range was 15 to 45 years (average: 27.4 ± 13). Of the 501 pregnant women, 70.65 % (n = 354) were seronegative for T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. There were statistical relationships between IgG seroprevalence and age, as well as IgG seroprevalence and cat holding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was high percentage of seronegative (70.65 %) IgG and IgM antibodies in full-term pregnant women. They were susceptible to acute toxoplasmosis; thus, prenatal screening was recommend in our province after cost-beneficial analyses.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Jafar
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Yad Yad
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Taleghani Hospital, Abadan School of Medical Sciences, Abadan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Nabi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jomehzadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Taleghani Hospital, Abadan School of Medical sciences, Abadan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jafar Sameri
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Arvand Medical Science University, International Branch of Jundishapur Medical Sciences University, Abadan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Nooshin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Noorshahi
keywords: Congenital; Pregnant Women; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Toxoplasmosis