P-146: Toxoplasmosis: Experimental Vaginal Infection in NMRI Mice and Effect on Uterin,Placenta and Fetus Tissues

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonotic pathogen. Vertical transmission of the parasite occurs when females were infected primarily during gestation. This parasite transmitted to the fetus through the placenta and may cause miscarriage, permanent neurological damage, premature birth and visual impairment. Materials and Methods: Two 6-8-week NMRI females mice were crossed with one male. The pregnant mice were divided into 2 groups: experimental group that infected by parasite via intra-vaginal (IV) and control group that received the same volume of normal saline via IV. One mouse from each group was killed on the fifth day after infection. The peritoneal fluid, ovary and uterus of mouse samples were taken and divided into two parts. One part used for DNA extraction and other keep in formalin and sent for histological study. Results: PCR using DNA extracted from experimental group showed the parasite was existed in tissues of the uterus and placenta but not in the embryos and peritoneal fluid. PCR using DNA extracted from control group was negative. Conclusion: Tachyzoite of Toxoplasma and DNA of this parasite were observed in sub mucosa and muscles of the uterus and in the villis of placenta but were not observed in histological sections of the fetus. Therefore, histological and molecular results were consistent.