Is Toxoplasma gondii IgG seropositivity a predisposing factor for infertility?

Authors

  • Haytham Ahmed Zakai Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box-80324, Jeddah-21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • Mazen Abid Bisharah Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Keywords:

Toxoplasma gondii, Infertility, anti-Toxoplasma, IgG

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Approximately one-third of the world population is infected with this parasite. Several studies have examined the causes of human infertility in the Middle East. A high proportion of secondary infertility and a great contribution of the female factor was the major finding in most of these studies. In this study, we aim to explore the relationship between Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and female infertile patients. Serum samples from 83 female patients visiting the infertility clinic and 57 normal prim gravid females attending the ANC clinic were collected during the year 2014. Serum samples were analyzed for anti-Toxoplasma IgG by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) technology. Patients visiting the infertility clinic, aged from 18-40 years (x=29.7) while normal prim gravid females attending the ANC clinic aged from 18-38 (x=26.1). Of the 83 samples collected from patients visiting the infertility clinic, 15 samples were positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG while only 2 samples (out of 57) collected from normal prim gravid females attending the ANC clinic were positive. There was a statistically significant correlation between positive anti-Toxoplasma IgG and infertility (p<0.01). We suggest considering the presence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in serum of young females as an indicator for possible future infertility.

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Published

2015-04-01

How to Cite

Zakai, H. A., & Bisharah, M. A. (2015). Is Toxoplasma gondii IgG seropositivity a predisposing factor for infertility?. Advances in BioScience, 6(2), 43–45. Retrieved from https://journals.sospublication.co.in/ab/article/view/184

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