Prevalence of Toxoplasmosis Among Pregnant Women in Benghazi City / Libya

Alkadafe Agelah

doi:10.64516/qfmhwm06

Authors

Alkadafe Agelah Center of Research, Consulting and Training, Tobruk University, Tobruk, Libya. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5832-7302

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64516/qfmhwm06

Keywords:

Toxoplasmosis, Toxoplasma gondii, pregnant women, Benghazi, Libya

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite that infects both humans and animals as a zoonotic pathogen widespread in nature. This study aims to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in Benghazi City and identify risk factors that affect the infection rate. A total of 227 women who attended different private medical laboratories in Benghazi City to perform toxoplasma screening tests during pregnancy were selected. The duration of the study was from January 1, 2023, to October 1, 2023. In addition, patients were examined for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii (IgG) and (Ig M) by the commercially available technique of ELISA. To be more specific, five age groups were used. Consequently, the total number of positive infected pregnant women was 44.1%, while the number of negative non-infected women was 55.9%. The seroprevalence of active toxoplasmosis was 44.1%, and chronic infections were 30%. The patient’s age had no significant relationship with the T. gondii infection. To conclude, with the publication of health education and disease definitions, the incidence of infection will be reduced among pregnant women who are more susceptible to Toxoplasma infection. Therefore, pregnant women should be screened for toxoplasmosis regularly. This study aims to evaluate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection among pregnant women of various age groups and to identify associations between infection and certain risk factors for infection.

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