SEROPREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII IGG AND IGM ANTIBODIES IN A HEALTHY FEMALE POPULATION FROM DELHI.

Poonam Gupta, *Manoj Jais, Sanjib Gogoi, Suraiya K Ansari

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii infection can cause congenital abnormalities, and even fetal loss. In India, awareness about TORCH group of infections cause congenital conditions is poor and routine testing is not recommended by obstetricians but is recommended to those who have had an undesirable pregnancy outcome. Aim: To evaluate the seroprevalence of IgM and IgG antibody of toxoplasma among the healthy female population in Delhi. Methodology: The study was done in Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi. A total of 1000 serum samples were taken over a period of two years from apparently healthy female population. 500 samples were included from healthy ANC females whose samples had come for routine VDRL screening and 500 were apparently of healthy female children 5 -15 years (Average 11) whose ASO and CRP were negative over a period of two years. All the samples were subjected to ELISA test for detection of IgM & IgG antibodies. Results:A total of 1000 participants consisting of ANC females and children (5-15 years), 500 each were included in the study. Out of 1000 samples tested for IgM and IgG antibodies, 766 (76.6%) were negative and 234 (23.4%) were positive for Toxoplasma antibodies. Conclusion: Overall positivity rate of IgM, IgG and both were found to be 59 (5.9%), 122 (12.2%), 53 (5.3%) respectively. The positivity rate of IgM, IgG & both among adult female was 32 (6.4%), 82 (16.4%), and 32 (6.4%) respectively whereas in female children it was 27 (4.4%), 40 (8.0%), 21 (4.2%) Overall seropositivity rate of IgG antibody among children and adult was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05, chi square) which indicated that incidence of toxoplasmosis increases with age. At the same time no significant difference was found in the two groups in IgM and both IgM and IgG positivity. This indicated that both children and adults are at equal risk of infection with Toxoplasma gondii.

Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, seroprevalence females, IgG, IgM, Delhi.