Prevalence of congenital Toxoplasmosis in two university hospitals: a brief report

The incidence and clinical presentation of congenital toxoplasmosis in our newborns was not studied until yet. Goal of study is to evaluates the newborns for congenital Toxoplasma. Gondii infection and describe the clinical presentation from birth and follow up them. We conducted a prospective study upon 270 newborns were born in two university hospitals in Tehran (Rasoul akram & Akbar Abadi) during 2011-2012. Cord blood sample obtained from the newborns during labour. The samples centrifuged، transported and restored in -80 centigrade freezer in our Research Laboratory. Specific T. Gondii- antibodies (IGG، IGM) evaluated by ELISA methods. Neonates with positive T. Gondii- IGM diagnosed and studied as infected cases. The infected cases treated and followed for progression of disease. Gestational age of newborns was between 28-41 weeks. Positive T. Gondii -IGM and T. Gondii -IGG determined in 1. 5%، 44. 1% of cases respectively. The most common clinical presentation in seropositive cases was eye involvement (50%)، and brain disorders (50%). Positive PCR had not found in cerebrospinal fluids of seropositive (IgM) cases. One and a half percent of newborns were seropositive for T. Gondii. Wide variation of clinical presentation and early diagnosis of infected newborns in our country is so important. Adding the serologic tests (IGM) to neonatal screening test is recommended strongly.