Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Healthy Pregnant Women of Puducherry

Sir, Toxoplasmosis is a common parasitic infection of humans, to which almost one third of humanity is exposed to [1]. While more than 50% women of child bearing age in Western Europe, Africa, South and Central America are seropositive for toxoplasmosis, some populations of El Salvador, Germany and France show 75% seropositivity, with approximately 90% adults of Paris and 50% adults in Germany being seropositive for this zoonosis [2]. Global status of toxoplasmosis has been elaborately reviewed by Pappas et al, who observed 40 to 70% positivity in South American and Caribbean countries [3]. Across India, during the last five decades, a lot of variation between different states and sometimes within the same geographical area has been observed regarding prevalence of this zoonosis [4-14]. This could be perhaps due to selection of subjects, tests employed, demographic and environmental factors. During the past four decades, but for a single report on toxoplasmosis in patients with Bad Obstetric History (BOH) [15], there is no report regarding toxoplasmosis seroprevalence in healthy antenatal women of Puducherry. Hence, we have attempted to explore the presence of this zoonosis in and around Puducherry. Based on national seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis in healthy pregnant women, 193 antenatal mothers were examined for T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. Those serum samples positive for T. gondii IgG were subjected to IgG avidity test by Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Healthy Pregnant Women of Puducherry