Seroepidemiologic evaluation of anti-toxoplasma antibodies among women in north of Iran.

This study is a cross sectional and descriptive study. Sample population was the women referred for marriage consultation to Gorgan Marriage Consultation Center in 2004. The prevalence oftoxoplasma antibodies (IgG, IgM) was determined by ELISA method. Blood samples were collected randomly from 300 women referred to the center for consultation. They were transferred to the laboratory for antibodies determination. Gorgan located in north of Iran and south east of Caspian sea. The results showed that the general prevalence to the positive cases based on high titer of IgG was 48.3% and of IgM was 11.7%. There was not any relation between positive cases and age, education, place of residence, job, keeping domestic animals (except cat) vegetable consumption and wash-up, but there was a relation between the positive cases of IgM and keeping cat at home (PV<0.025). More over 51.7% of pregnant women in Gorgan were seronegative and the were prone to acute toxoplasmosis during their pregnancy. The results of this study confirm that the determination of the diagnostic toxoplasmosis is an necessary test during pregnancy.