Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Sero-epidemiology and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women in Arab and African countries

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Journal of Parasitic Diseases Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy is a major issue for public health. Primary infection in pregnant women can lead to serious sequelae. This review examined current sero-epidemiology and risks factor data for Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women in Arab and African countries. A systematic electronic search of published literature was conducted. Data were extracted from relevant studies. Seropositivity is high in both regions. African countries have higher seropositivity than Arab countries due to differences in risk factors. Data on T. gondii infection in pregnancy are scant in many countries, especially where there is lack of political stability. Identified risk factors included eating raw meat, proximity with cats, undercooked food, and increasing maternal age. Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy in Arab and African countries is an underestimated health problem. Further research is needed. This report is a foundation for strategies and policies for intervention needed to combat the consequences of congenital toxoplasmosis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abu-Madi MA, Al-Molawi N, Behnke JM (2008) Seroprevalence and epidemiological correlates of Toxoplasma gondii infections among patients referred for hospital-based serological testing in Doha, Qatar. Parasit Vectors 1:39

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Abu-Madi MA, Behnke JM, Dabritz HA (2010) Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and co-infection with TORCH pathogens in high-risk patients from Qatar. Am J Trop Med Hyg 82:626–633

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Adou-Bryn KD, Ouhon J, Nemer J, Yapo CG, Assoumou A (2004) Serological survey of acquired toxoplasmosis in women of child-bearing age in Yopougon (Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire). Bull Soc Pathol Exot 97:345–348

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed HJ, Mohammed HH, Yusuf MW, Ahmed SF, Huldt G (1988) Human toxoplasmosis in Somalia. Prevalence of toxoplasma antibodies in a village in the lower Scebelli region and in Mogadishu. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 82:330–332

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alanazi AD (2013) Determination of seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii in sheep, goats and camels slaughtered for food and human consumptions in Riyadh municipal abattoirs, Saudi Arabia. J Egypt Soc Parasitol 43:569–576

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Hindi A, Al-Helou T, Al-Helou Y (2010) Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, cytomegalovirus, rubella virus and Chlamydia trachomatis among infertile women attending in vitro fertilization center, Gaza strip, Palestine. J Egypt Soc Parasitol 40:451–458

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Mendalawi MD, Barah F (2011) Prevalence of IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii among Syrian females of childbearing age. Saudi Med J 32:1210

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • al-Meshari AA, Chowdhury MN, Chattopadhyay SK, De Silva SK (1989) Screening for toxoplasmosis in pregnancy. Int J Gynecol Obstet 29:39–45

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Almogren A (2011) Antenatal screening for Toxoplasma gondii infection at a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ann Saudi Med 31:569–572

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Mohammad HI, Amin TT, Balaha MH, Al-Moghannum MS (2010) Toxoplasmosis among the pregnant women attending a Saudi maternity hospital: seroprevalence and possible risk factors. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 104:493–504

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Mulhim AA, Al-Qurashi AM (2001) Sero-prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant mothers and new born infants in Eastern province, Saudi Arabia. J Family Community Med 8:45–48

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Almushait MA, Dajem SM, Elsherbiny NM, Eskandar MA, Al Azraqi TA, Makhlouf LM (2014) Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women in South Western, Saudi Arabia. J Parasit Dis 38:4–10

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Nakib W, Ibrahim ME, Hathout H, Moussa MA, Deverajan LV, Thorburn H, Yousof AM (1983) Seroepidemiology of viral and toxoplasmal infections during pregnancy among Arab women of child-bearing age in Kuwait. Int J Epidemiol 12:220–223

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Qurashi AR, Ghandour AM, Obeid OE, Al-Mulhim A, Makki SM (2001) Seroepidemiological study of Toxoplasma gondii infection in the human population in the Eastern region. Saudi Med J 22:13–18

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alsammani MA, Ahmed SR, Alsheeha MA, Saadia Z, Khairi SA (2012) Co-infection with Toxoplasma gondii and Clostridium perfringens in a postpartum woman with uterine gas gangrene: a case report. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 38:1024–1027

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ayi I, Edu SA, Apea-Kubi KA, Boamah D, Bosompem KM, Edoh D (2009) Sero-epidemiology of toxoplasmosis amongst pregnant women in the greater accra region of Ghana. Ghana Med J 43:107–114

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Barah FA (2011) Prevalence of IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii among Syrian females of childbearing age. Saudi Med J 32:531–533

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barakat AM, Salem LM, El-Newishy AM, Shaapan RM, El-Mahllawy EK (2012) Zoonotic chicken toxoplasmosis in some Egyptians governorates. Pak J Biol Sci 15:821–826

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baril L, Ancelle T, Goulet V, Thulliez P, Tirard-Fleury V, Carme B (1999) Risk factors for toxoplasma infection in pregnancy: a case-control study in France. Scand J Infect Dis 31:305–309

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bin Dajem SM, Almushait MA (2012) Detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA by PCR in blood samples collected from pregnant Saudi women from the Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. Ann Saudi Med 32:507–512

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Bouhamdan SF, Bitar LK, Saghir HJ, Bayan A, Araj GF (2010) Seroprevalence of toxoplasma antibodies among individuals tested at hospitals and private laboratories in Beirut. J Med Liban 58:8–11

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bouratbine A, Siala E, Chahed MK, Aoun K, Ben Ismail R (2001) Sero-epidemiologic profile of toxoplasmosis in Northern Tunisia. Parasite 8:61–66

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brindle R, Holliman R, Gilks C, Waiyaki P (1991) Toxoplasma antibodies in HIV-positive patients from Nairobi. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 85:750–751

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Capretti MG, De Angelis M, Tridapalli E, Orlandi A, Marangoni A, Moroni A, Guerra B, Arcuri S, Marsico C, Faldella G (2014) Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy in an area with low seroprevalence: is prenatal screening still worthwhile? Pediatr Infect Dis J 33:5–10

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cook AJ, Gilbert RE, Buffolano W, Zufferey J, Petersen E, Jenum PA, Foulon W, Semprini AE, Dunn DT (2000) Sources of toxoplasma infection in pregnant women: European multicentre case-control study. European research network on congenital toxoplasmosis. BMJ 321:142–147

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Dar FK, Alkarmi T, Uduman S, Abdulrazzaq Y, Grundsell H, Hughes P (1997) Gestational and neonatal toxoplasmosis: regional seroprevalence in the United Arab Emirates. Eur J Epidemiol 13:567–571

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Paschale M, Ceriani C, Cerulli T, Cagnin D, Cavallari S, Cianflone A, Diombo K, Ndayake J, Aouanou G, Zaongo D, Priuli G, Vigano P, Clerici P (2014) Antenatal screening for Toxoplasma gondii, Cytomegalovirus, rubella and Treponema pallidum infections in Northern Benin. Trop Med Int Health. 19(6):743

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Delhaes L, Ajzenberg D, Sicot B, Bourgeot P, Darde ML, Dei-Cas E, Houfflin-Debarge V (2010) Severe congenital toxoplasmosis due to a Toxoplasma gondii strain with an atypical genotype: case report and review. Prenat Diagn 30:902–905

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Diakoua A, Papadopoulos E, Panousis N, Karatzias C, Giadinis N (2013) Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum seroprevalence in dairy sheep and goats mixed stock farming. Vet Parasitol 198:387–390

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Doudou Y, Renaud P, Coralie L, Jacqueline F, Hypolite S, Hypolite M, Patrick M, Andreia Ida L, Van Sprundel M, Marleen B, Van Geertruyden JP, Pascal L (2014) Toxoplasmosis among pregnant women: high seroprevalence and risk factors in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 4:69–74

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dromigny JA, Pecarrere JL, Leroy F, Ollivier G, Boisier P (1996) Prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Tananarive. Study conducted at the Pasteur Institute of Madagascar (PIM) on a sample of 2354 subjects. Bull Soc Pathol Exot 89:212–216

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dubey JP, Jones JL (2008) Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans and animals in the United States. Int J Parasitol 38:1257–1278

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dubey JP, Lago EG, Gennari SM, Su C, Jones JL (2012) Toxoplasmosis in humans and animals in Brazil: high prevalence, high burden of disease, and epidemiology. Parasitology 139:1375–1424

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dunn D, Wallon M, Peyron F, Petersen E, Peckham C, Gilbert R (1999) Mother-to-child transmission of toxoplasmosis: risk estimates for clinical counselling. Lancet 353:1829–1833

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • El Deeb HK, Salah-Eldin H, Khodeer S, Allah AA (2012) Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in antenatal population in Menoufia governorate, Egypt. Acta Trop 124:185–191

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • El Mansouri B, Rhajaoui M, Sebti F, Amarir F, Laboudi M, Bchitou R, Hamad M, Lyagoubi M (2007) Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in Rabat, Morocco. Bull Soc Pathol Exot 100:289–290

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elbez-Rubinstein A, Ajzenberg D, Darde ML, Cohen R, Dumetre A, Yera H, Gondon E, Janaud JC, Thulliez P (2009) Congenital toxoplasmosis and reinfection during pregnancy: case report, strain characterization, experimental model of reinfection, and review. J Infect Dis 199:280–285

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elbualy MS, Kolhatkar A, Al-Dharhy SHS (1996) Seroprevalence of rubella, cytomegalovirus, measles and toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in Oman. Oman Med J 12:6–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Elfahal AM, Elhassan AM, Hussien MO, Enan KA, Musa AB, El Hussein AM (2013) Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in dairy cattle with reproductive problems in Sudan. ISRN Vet Sci 2013:895165

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Elnahas A, Gerais AS, Elbashir MI, Eldien ES, Adam I (2003) Toxoplasmosis in pregnant Sudanese women. Saudi Med J 24:868–870

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • el-Ridi AM, Nada SM, Aly AS, Ramadan ME, Hagar EG, Taha TA (1991) Toxoplasmosis and pregnancy: an analytical study in Zagazig, Egypt. J Egypt Soc Parasitol 21:81–85

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • el-Sebai MM (1991) Study on toxoplasmosis in Quasseem, Saudi Arabia. J Egypt Soc Parasitol 21:273–275

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elsheikha HM, Aboul-Dahab MA, Abdel Maboud AI, El-Sherbini ET (2009) Prevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in asymptomatic Egyptian blood donors. J Egypt Soc Parasitol 39:351–361

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fakhfakh N, Kallel K, Ennigro S, Kaouech E, Belhadj S, Chaker E (2013) Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii and immune status of pregnant women: cause and effect? Tunis Med 91:188–190

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fernandes GC, Azevedo RS, Amaku M, Yu AL, Massad E (2009) Seroepidemiology of toxoplasma infection in a metropolitan region of Brazil. Epidemiol Infect 137:1809–1815

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Flatt A, Shetty N (2013) Seroprevalence and risk factors for toxoplasmosis among antenatal women in London: a re-examination of risk in an ethnically diverse population. Eur J Public Health 23:648–652

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gascon J, Torres-Rodriguez JM, Soldevila M, Merlos AM (1989) Seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis in 2 communities of Rwanda (Central Africa). Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 31:399–402

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gebremedhin EZ, Abebe AH, Tessema TS, Tullu KD, Medhin G, Vitale M, Di Marco V, Cox E, Dorny P (2013) Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in women of child-bearing age in central Ethiopia. BMC Infect Dis 13:101

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert R, Tan HK, Cliffe S, Guy E, Stanford M (2006) Symptomatic toxoplasma infection due to congenital and postnatally acquired infection. Arch Dis Child 91:495–498

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Guerina NG (1994) Congenital infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Pediatr Ann 23(138–42):147–151

    Google Scholar 

  • Hide G, Morley EK, Hughes JM, Gerwash O, Elmahaishi MS, Elmahaishi KH, Thomasson D, Wright EA, Williams RH, Murphy RG, Smith JE (2009) Evidence for high levels of vertical transmission in Toxoplasma gondii. Parasitology 136:1877–1885

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hill D, Dubey JP (2002) Toxoplasma gondii: transmission, diagnosis and prevention. Clin Microbiol Infect 8:634–640

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hung CC, Fan CK, Su KE, Sung FC, Chiou HY, Gil V, Reis da Conceicao dos, Ferreira M, de Carvalho JM, Cruz C, Lin YK, Tseng LF, Sao KY, Chang WC, Lan HS, Chou SH (2007) Serological screening and toxoplasmosis exposure factors among pregnant women in the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 101:134–139

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs MR, Mason PR (1978) Prevalence of toxoplasma antibodies in Southern Africa. S Afr Med J 53:619–621

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jones JL, Kruszon-Moran D, Wilson M, McQuillan G, Navin T, McAuley JB (2001) Toxoplasma gondii infection in the United States: seroprevalence and risk factors. Am J Epidemiol 154:357–365

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jones JL, Kruszon-Moran D, Sanders-Lewis K, Wilson M (2007) Toxoplasma gondii infection in the United States, 1999 2004, decline from the prior decade. Am J Trop Med Hyg 77:405–410

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jones JL, Dargelas V, Roberts J, Press C, Remington JS, Montoya JG (2009) Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in the United States. Clin Infect Dis 49:878–884

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jumaian NF (2005) Seroprevalence and risk factors for toxoplasma infection in pregnant women in Jordan. East Mediterr Health J 11:45–51

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kassem HH, Morsy TA (1991) The prevalence of anti-toxoplasma antibodies among pregnant women in Benghazi, (S.P.L.A.J.) Libya. J Egypt Soc Parasitol 21:69–74

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khan A, Dubey JP, Su C, Ajioka JW, Rosenthal BM, Sibley LD (2011) Genetic analyses of atypical Toxoplasma gondii strains reveal a fourth clonal lineage in North America. Int J Parasitol 41:645–655

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Klufio CA, Delamare O, Amoa AB, Kariwiga G (1993) The prevalence of toxoplasma antibodies in pregnant patients attending the Port Moresby General Hospital antenatal clinic: a seroepidemiological survey. P N G Med J 36:4–9

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lebech M, Andersen O, Christensen NC, Hertel J, Nielsen HE, Peitersen B, Rechnitzer C, Larsen SO, Norgaard-Pedersen B, Petersen E (1999) Feasibility of neonatal screening for toxoplasma infection in the absence of prenatal treatment. Danish Congenital Toxoplasmosis Study Group. Lancet 353:1834–1837

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lelong B, Rahelimino B, Candolfi E, Ravelojaona BJ, Villard O, Rasamindrakotroka AJ, Kien T (1995) Prevalence of toxoplasmosis in a population of pregnant women in Antananarivo (Madagascar). Bull Soc Pathol Exot 88:46–49

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Li M, Wu JH (2002) Toxoplasma infection among pregnant women in Zhoushan city, Zhejiang Province. Chin J Health Educ 18:734–735

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindstrom I, Kaddu-Mulindwa DH, Kironde F, Lindh J (2006) Prevalence of latent and reactivated Toxoplasma gondii parasites in HIV-patients from Uganda. Acta Trop 100:218–222

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Linguissi LS, Nagalo BM, Bisseye C, Kagone TS, Sanou M, Tao I, Benao V, Simpore J, Kone B (2012) Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis and rubella in pregnant women attending antenatal private clinic at Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Asian Pac J Trop Med 5:810–813

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Q, Wei F, Gao S, Jiang L, Lian H, Yuan B, Yuan Z, Xia Z, Liu B, Xu X, Zhu XQ (2009) Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women in China. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 103:162–166

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lopes AP, Dubey JP, Moutinho O, Gargate MJ, Vilares A, Rodrigues M, Cardoso L (2012) Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in women from the North of Portugal in their childbearing years. Epidemiol Infect 140:872–877

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lopez R, Contreras R, Font L, Vega O (1992) Presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in adolescents from the African continent. Rev Latinoam Microbiol 34:49–52

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lopez A, Dietz VJ, Wilson M, Navin TR, Jones JL (2000) Preventing congenital toxoplasmosis. MMWR Recomm Rep 49:59–68

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Luft BJ, Remington JS (1992) Toxoplasmic encephalitis in AIDS. Clin Infect Dis 15:211–222

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Makuwa M, Lecko M, Nsimba B, Bakoue-Tela J, Lounana-Kouta J- (1992) Toxoplasmose et la femme enceinte au Congo. Bilan de 5 ans de dépistage (1986–1990). Méd Afr Noire 39:493–495

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin S (2001) Congenital toxoplasmosis. Neonatal Netw 20:23–30

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Messerer L, Bouzbid S, Gourbdji E, Mansouri R, Bachi F (2014) Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in Annaba, Algeria. Rev Epidemiol Sante Publique 62:160–165

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mohammad M, Ahmed S, Hussain A (2012) Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in couples in Ramadi City using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Int J Med Med Sci 4:55–59

    Google Scholar 

  • Montoya JG, Liesenfeld O (2004) Toxoplasmosis. Lancet 363:1965–1976

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morvan JM, Mambely R, Selekon B, Coumanzi-Malo MF (1999) Toxoplasmosis at the Pasteur Institute of Bangui, Central African Republic (1996–1998): serological data. Bull Soc Pathol Exot 92:157–160

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mosti M, Pinto B, Giromella A, Fabiani S, Cristofani R, Panichi M, Bruschi F (2013) A 4-year evaluation of toxoplasmosis seroprevalence in the general population and in women of reproductive age in central Italy. Epidemiol Infect 141:2192–2195

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mousa DA, Mohammad MA, Toboli AB (2011) Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women with previous adverse pregnancy outcome. Med J Islam World Acad Sci 19:95–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Mwambe B, Mshana SE, Kidenya BR, Massinde AN, Mazigo HD, Michael D, Majinge C, Gross U (2013) Sero-prevalence and factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Mwanza, Tanzania. Parasit Vectors 6:222

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Nabias R, Ngouamizokou A, Migot-Nabias F, Mbou-Moutsimbi RA, Lansoud-Soukate J (1998) Serological investigation of toxoplasmosis in patients of the M.I.P. center of Franceville (Gabon). Bull Soc Pathol Exot 91:318–320

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nash JQ, Chissel S, Jones J, Warburton F, Verlander NQ (2005) Risk factors for toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in Kent, United Kingdom. Epidemiol Infect 133:475–483

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ndir I, Gaye A, Faye B, Gaye O, Ndir O (2004) Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among women having spontaneous abortion and pregnant women following in a center of health up-town in Dakar. Dakar Med 49:5–9

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ndumbe PM, Andela A, Nkemnkeng-Asong J, Watonsi E, Nyambi P (1992) Prevalence of infections affecting the child among pregnant women in Yaounde, Cameroon. Med Microbiol Immunol 181:127–130

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nowakowska D, Stray-Pedersen B, Spiewak E, Sobala W, Malafiej E, Wilczynski J (2006) Prevalence and estimated incidence of toxoplasma infection among pregnant women in Poland: a decreasing trend in the younger population. Clin Microbiol Infect 12:913–917

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Onadeko MO, Joynson DH, Payne RA (1992) The prevalence of toxoplasma infection among pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria. J Trop Med Hyg 95:143–145

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ouologuem DT, Djimde AA, Diallo N, Doumbo OK, Roos DS (2013) Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in Mali. J Parasitol 99:371–374

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pal RA, Qayyum M, Yaseen M (1996) Seroprevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, with particular reference to obstetric history of patients in Rawalpindi-Islamabad, Pakistan. J Pak Med Assoc 46:56–58

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pappas G, Roussos N, Falagas ME (2009) Toxoplasmosis snapshots: global status of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence and implications for pregnancy and congenital toxoplasmosis. Int J Parasitol 39:1385–1394

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pereira KS, Franco RM, Leal DA (2010) Transmission of toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii) by foods. Adv Food Nutr Res 60:1–19

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Remington JS, Mc Leod R, Thulliez P, Desmonts G (2001) Toxoplasmosis. In: Remington JS, Klein JO (eds) Infectious diseases of the fetus and newborn infant. The WB Saunders Co., Philadelphia, pp 205–346

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodier MH, Berthonneau J, Bourgoin A, Giraudeau G, Agius G, Burucoa C, Hekpazo A, Jacquemin JL (1995) Seroprevalences of toxoplasma, malaria, rubella, cytomegalovirus, HIV and treponemal infections among pregnant women in Cotonou, Republic of Benin. Acta Trop 59:271–277

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosso F, Les JT, Agudelo A, Villalobos C, Chaves JA, Tunubala GA, Messa A, Remington JS, Montoya JG (2008) Prevalence of infection with Toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women in Cali, Colombia, South America. Am J Trop Med Hyg 78:504–508

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saleh MM, AL-Shamiri AH, Qaed AA (2010) Seroprevalence and incidence of Toxoplasma gondii among apparently healthy and visually or hearing disabled children in Taiz City, Yemen. Kor J Parasitol 48:71–73

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanad MM, Al-Ghabban AJ (2007) Serological survey on toxoplasmosis among slaughtered sheep and goats in Tabouk, Saudi Arabia. J Egypt Soc Parasitol 37:329–340

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shawky S, Soliman NK (2001) Going beyond the curriculum to promote medical education and practice in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J 22:477–480

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shimelis T, Tebeje M, Tadesse E, Tegbaru B, Terefe A (2009) Sero-prevalence of latent Toxoplasma gondii infection among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected people in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study. BMC Res Notes 2:213

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Singh N (1998) Status of toxoplasma antibodies in recurrent fetal loss in U.A.E. women. Indian J Pediatr 65:891–897

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sroka S, Bartelheimer N, Winter A, Heukelbach J, Ariza L, Ribeiro H, Oliveira FA, Queiroz AJ, Alencar C Jr, Liesenfeld O (2010) Prevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in Fortaleza, Northeastern Brazil. Am J Trop Med Hyg 83:528–533

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Su C, Shwab EK, Zhou P, Zhu XQ, Dubey JP (2010) Moving towards an integrated approach to molecular detection and identification of Toxoplasma gondii. Parasitology 137:1–11

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sun X, Liu P, Song Y, Zhang S, Ren J (2006) Preventive medicine tribune. Br Med J 1:675–676

    Google Scholar 

  • Szenasi Z, Ozsvar Z, Nagy E, Jeszenszky M, Szabo J, Gellen J, Vegh M, Verhofstede C (1997) Prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis in Szeged, Hungary. Int J Epidemiol 26:428–435

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tammam AE, Haridy MA, Abdellah AH, Ahmed SR, Fayed HM, Alsammani MA (2013) Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in women with first trimester spontaneous miscarriage in Qena governorate, Egypt. J Clin Diagn Res 7:2870–2873

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Tenter AM, Heckeroth AR, Weiss LM (2000) Toxoplasma gondii: from animals to humans. Int J Parasitol 30:1217–1258

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Thaller R, Tammaro F, Pentimalli H (2011) Risk factors for toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in central Italy. Infez Med 19:241–247

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Torgerson PR, Mastroiacovo P (2013) The global burden of congenital toxoplasmosis: a systematic review. Bull World Health Organ 91:501–508

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Vogel N, Kirisits M, Michael E, Bach H, Hostetter M, Boyer K, Simpson R, Holfels E, Hopkins J, Mack D, Mets MB, Swisher CN, Patel D, Roizen N, Stein L, Stein M, Withers S, Mui E, Egwuagu C, Remington J, Dorfman R, McLeod R (1996) Congenital toxoplasmosis transmitted from an immunologically competent mother infected before conception. Clin Infect Dis 23:1055–1060

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walle F, Kebede N, Tsegaye A, Kassa T (2013) Seroprevalence and risk factors for toxoplasmosis in HIV infected and non-infected individuals in Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia. Parasit Vectors 6:15

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Watts TE, Larsen SA, Brown ST (1984) A case-control study of stillbirths at a teaching hospital in Zambia, 1979–1980: serological investigations for selected infectious agents. Bull World Health Organ 62:803–808

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss LM, Dubey JP (2009) Toxoplasmosis: a history of clinical observations. Int J Parasitol 39:895–901

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson M, Jones JL, McAuley JM (2003) Toxoplasma. In: Murray PR, Baron EJ, Pfaller MA, Jorgensen JH, Yolken RH (eds) Manual of clinical microbiology. American Society for Microbiology, Washington, pp 1970–1980

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiao Y, Yin J, Jiang N, Xiang M, Hao L, Lu H, Sang H, Liu X, Xu H, Ankarklev J, Lindh J, Chen Q (2010) Seroepidemiology of human Toxoplasma gondii infection in China. BMC Infect Dis 10:4

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Zemene E, Yewhalaw D, Abera S, Belay T, Samuel A, Zeynudin A (2012) Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors among pregnant women in Jimma town, Southwestern Ethiopia. BMC Infect Dis 12:337

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao G, Shen B, Xie Q, Xu LX, Yan RF, Song XK, Hassan IA, Li XR (2012) Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in free-range chickens in China based on circulating antigens and antibodies. Vet Parasitol 185:72–77

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zumla A, Savva D, Wheeler RB, Hira SK, Luo NP, Kaleebu P, Sempala SK, Johnson JD, Holliman R (1991) Toxoplasma serology in Zambian and Ugandan patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 85:227–229

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the editorial assistance of Dr. Belinda Peace.

Conflict of interest

We declare that we have no conflicts of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, P.O. Box 665, Buraidah, 51452, Saudi Arabia

    Mohamed Alkhatim Alsammani

  2. College of Medicine, Bahri University, Khartoum, Sudan

    Mohamed Alkhatim Alsammani

Authors
  1. Mohamed Alkhatim Alsammani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohamed Alkhatim Alsammani.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Alsammani, M.A. Sero-epidemiology and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women in Arab and African countries. J Parasit Dis 40, 569–579 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-014-0558-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-014-0558-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation