Detection of genomic Toxoplasma gondii DNA and anti-Toxoplasma antibodies

Toxoplasmosis is a disease of zoonotic nature; being reported to be widespread in animals and humans. Serological diagnosis represents the first and the most widely used approach to define the stage of toxoplasmosis and diagnosis of primary and late infection in pregnancy can be improved by determination of Toxoplasma DNA. Eighty-eight and 88 coagulated and non coagulated blood samples were collected from high risk women {68 pregnant that had bad obstetric history and 20 non pregnant that aborted in different times (1st or 2nd trimester)} with an average age (17 -45 years)} and their contact animals (62 sheep and 24 goats) in three centers at El-Fayoum Governorate in Egypt. Results showed that the prevalence of anti -Toxoplasma IgM and IgG among pregnant women (30.5 and 20.45 %, respectively) was higher than non pregnant women (13.6 and 7.95 %, respectively). The positive percents of PCR in the examined positive ELISA (IgG and IgM) pregnant and non pregnant women were (21.5 % and 9 %, respectively) suggesting a recent or late infection. The high risk pregnant and non pregnant women aged 35-45 years old showed the highest percent of IgG (66.7 % and 62.5%), IgM (50 and 50%) and positive PCR (50% and 37.5%), respectively. Sheep and goats showed high seroprevalence of Toxoplasma IgG (98.4 % and 41.7 %) and positive PCR (67.7 and 25%), respectively and those animals may constitute a potential source of infection to the investigated women at El-Fayoum Governorate. The relationship between positivity and some risk factors was assessed by ELISA and data collected by questionnaire. The strongest risk factors associated with acquiring toxoplasmosis were eating undercooked sheep or goat meat, drinking unpasteurized sheep or goat milk and handling raw sheep or goat meat. [Life Science Journal. 2009; 6(3): 54 – 60] (ISSN: 1097 – 8135)