Toxoplasmosis in Pregnant Women and Non-Pregnant Female Volunteers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

 Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite, and is among the diseases generally referred to as neglected tropical disease (NTD). It can be a reason for impulsive abortion in pregnant women or hereditary chorioretinitis in neonates.

 The present study examined seroprevalence and related risk issues of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women (PTW) and non-pregnant females (NPF) of two health facilities in Port Harcourt.

 Venous blood was collected from 380 women and analyzed by immunodiagnostic techniques using ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent assay) IgG and IgM tests and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire on the socio-demographic risk issues linked with toxoplasmosis.

 Among the study population, PTW and NPF had seroprevalence of 33.0% and 19.4%, respectively (P < 0.05). PTW recorded a higher overall seroprevalence than NPF with 16.1%, 1.3%, and 8.4%, 0.8% for Toxoplasma gondii ELISA IgG, and IgM tests, respectively. IgM-positive cases were all authenticated by the real-time PCR technique and were all negative. Age group 35-39 years had the highest IgG seroprevalence of 24.3% for PTW, while the age group > 40 years had the highest IgG seroprevalence of 18.2% for NPF. Traders recorded the uppermost seroprevalence of 20.9% and 2.6% for IgG and IgM among PTW, respectively, while teachers and traders recorded the maximum seroprevalence of 15.6% and 1.7% for IgG and IgM among NPF, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that there was no association between the age group, occupation, trimester, and toxoplasmosis.

 The toxoplasmosis was significantly high in pregnant women. It is recommended that Toxoplasma gondii tests should be included as a routine test during antenatal.