Seroprevalence and Hematological Investigation of Toxoplasmosis in Women of Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Background. Toxoplasma gondii is responsible for toxoplasmosis infection. Human beings and most warm-blooded animals are infected by this parasite, though the primary host of this parasite is the felid family. The current study was designed to assess the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis and to investigate the hematological changes in the female human population of Lahore, Pakistan. Methodology. For this research, 150 blood samples were collected from women being treated at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore, along with other details. Of these, 90 samples were selected for the analysis of hematological changes by using a hematology analyzer. The serum of these samples was analyzed to estimate the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis by using the ELISA technique. All the information was collected with the help of a questionnaire and analyzed to find out the risk factors.  Results. The overall prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the female human population in Lahore was found to be 27%. The prevalence rate was 31% and 24% among pregnant and non-pregnant women, respectively. Similarly, women who underwent abortion had a high prevalence rate (66.6%) as compared to normal pregnant women (25.6%). In pregnant women, infection was more prevalent in the third trimester of pregnancy (43.7%), as compared to the first (28.5%) and second (20%) trimesters. The prevalence rate was higher in those women who had contact with cats or any other pet animal. The hematological parameters of the samples were also examined. In seropositive women, the levels of Hb and PCV declined, while the counts of lymphocytes and neutrophils considerably increased. Abnormal concentration levels of ALT and AST enzymes were also observed in seropositive women. Conclusion. This study revealed a higher prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women. Therefore, clinical screening should be encouraged for this infection