Sero-epidemiological Study of Toxoplasmosis in Neonates and Postpartum Mothers Referred to Health Centers of Yazd in Iran during 2020.

Background and Aim: Toxoplasmosis is a common parasitic infection that can endanger mother's and neonates' health during pregnancy. The disease is also prevalent in Iran. This study intended to evaluate the seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis in neonates and postpartum mothers referred to health centers of Yazd in Iran in 2020. Materials and Methods: Totally, 184 postpartum mothers and 184 neonatal umbilical cords in health centers of Yazd were evaluated for Toxoplasma infection through a specific IgM and IgG antibodies kit. The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS18. Results & Conclusion: Out of 184 samples of postpartum mothers, 8 cases (4.35%) were seropositive, and 176 (95.65%) were seronegative for IgG antibody; moreover, 7 cases (3.80%) were seropositive, and 177 (96.20%) seronegative for IgM antibody. Also, 184 neonatal umbilical cords were IgM negative, and no toxoplasmosis infection was reported. No significant correlation was found between seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection and caring for pets, consumption of raw meat, level of education, blood type, job, living area and type of delivery (P>0.05). However, a significant correlation was identified between the number of deliveries and the prevalence of toxoplasmosis (P=0.014). This study also illustrated a low prevalence of Toxoplasma infection in postpartum mothers and no congenital transmission of the disease in diverse health centers of the province. However, there was no statistically significant relationship between risk factors and the prevalence of Toxoplasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]