SERO-EPIDEMIOLOGY OF TOXOPLASMOSIS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN RECEIVING ANTENATAL CARE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT TEACHING HOSPITAL

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy is a significant cause of
negative pregnancy outcomes and ocular damage following congenital
transmission. This study was carried out to determine the sero-prevalence of
Toxoplasma gondii infection and its associated risk factors among pregnant
women in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study involved 288 consenting
pregnant women in their first trimester. Questionnaires were administered to
determine socio-demographic factors, knowledge of toxoplasmosis and risk
factors. IgG and IgM ELISA was performed on all patients’ sera and the
IgM/IgG Positive samples were subjected to IgG Avidity ELISA. Data was
analyzed using the statistical package Epi info version 6.04d.
RESULTS: 11.5%, 42.4% and 11.5% were positive for IgM, IgG and both
respectively.1.6% of these had low IgG avidity while 98.4% had high IgG
avidity percentage giving a 1.04% sero-prevalence of recent infection with
Toxoplasma gondii. Consumption of beef was a statistically significant risk for
infection.
CONCLUSION: One in every two pregnant women in the first trimester in
Port Harcourt is infected; however, it is largely associated with a low risk of
vertical transmission.

SERO-EPIDEMIOLOGY OF TOXOPLASMOSIS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN RECEIVING ANTENATAL CARE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT TEACHING HOSPITAL