Sero-prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Khartoum and Omdurman Maternity Hospitals,Sudan

Objective:To determine the sero-prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii(T.gondii)infection among pregnant Sudanese women.Methods:One hundred and sixty three pregnant women attending antenatal care in Omdurman Maternity Hospitals,Khartoum,Sudan during June to August in 2013 were enrolled and screened for immunoglobulin G(IgG)and IgM antitoxoplasma antibodies using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay technique.Results:Among 163 pregnant women,33(20.2%)were positive for(IgG)antitoxoplasma antibodies,while 130(79.8%)were seronegative.None of the examined women had IgM antitoxoplasma antibodies.The highest rate of infection(26.7%)was detected among women aged 21-29 years.No statistically significant relation was observed between T.gondii sero-prevalence and the other variable of risk factors studied.Conclusions:Over 79%Sudanese women screened for antitoxoplasma IgG antibodies were seronegative and they were at risk of seroconversion during pregnancy.Moreover,the study showed that screening of T.gondii infections during antenatal care should be considered in Khartoum state as the main strategy to minimize congenital toxoplasmosis.