[PDF][PDF] Serological evidence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women in Auckland
A Morris, M Croxson - New Zealand Medical Journal, 2004 - nzmj.org.nz
A Morris, M Croxson
New Zealand Medical Journal, 2004•nzmj.org.nzAim Severe congenital infection is a consequence of primary Toxoplasma gondii infection in
early pregnancy. Antenatal screening is problematic because IgM antibody to Toxoplasma
persists for months to years and thus may falsely indicate a recent infection. Serological
screening for T. gondii infection is not currently included in routine antenatal testing in New
Zealand. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of IgG and IgM antibody to T.
gondii in pregnant Auckland women. Methods Five hundred serum samples submitted for …
early pregnancy. Antenatal screening is problematic because IgM antibody to Toxoplasma
persists for months to years and thus may falsely indicate a recent infection. Serological
screening for T. gondii infection is not currently included in routine antenatal testing in New
Zealand. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of IgG and IgM antibody to T.
gondii in pregnant Auckland women. Methods Five hundred serum samples submitted for …
Abstract
Aim Severe congenital infection is a consequence of primary Toxoplasma gondii infection in early pregnancy. Antenatal screening is problematic because IgM antibody to Toxoplasma persists for months to years and thus may falsely indicate a recent infection. Serological screening for T. gondii infection is not currently included in routine antenatal testing in New Zealand. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of IgG and IgM antibody to T. gondii in pregnant Auckland women.
Methods Five hundred serum samples submitted for routine antenatal blood tests were tested anonymously for IgG and IgM antibodies to T. gondii. One hundred consecutive serum samples were tested from five age groups:< 20, 21–25, 26–30, 31–35,> 36 years. The number of positive IgM results that would have occurred if there were routine screening for toxoplasmosis was estimated for the year 2000 by multiplying the number of women giving birth in the respective age groups by the proportion with positive IgM results in these samples.
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