Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that represents an actual public health problem. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of T. gondii among 91 couples in Ramadi city who were examined for the presence of antibodies against T. gondii using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall anti-T. gondii (Immunoglobin M (IgM) and Immunoglobin G (IgG)) in both couples were 38.4%, the seroprevalence in wives was only 30.7%, while that in husbands was 13.1% only. This study showed that abortive women and abnormal pregnancy had the highest percentage rates (35.7 versus 57.14%) of toxoplasmosis among those of 26 to 30 years old and the lowest was among those who have the average of age (36 to 40) years old. One group miscarriage was (50%) higher than the other groups. The group of 26 to 30 years old showed high rate of IgM antibodies of about (66.66%). The number of abortion in the first trimester was high in both patterns of antibodies IgM only and (IgM and IgG) (62.5 and 29.16%), respectively. Analysis of variance revealed that there were no significant interactions between IgM and IgG seropositivity and the gestational age of the fetus.

Key words: Toxoplasma gondii, pregnancy, the couples, seroprevalence.