Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii Isolated from Aborted Iraqi Women

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide-distributed infection which is mostly asymptomatic but can cause serious health problems in congenitally-infected newborns. Objectives: Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii and its distribution among aborted Iraqi pregnant and its relationship with sero-prevalence of alpha-fetoprotein positivity among toxoplasmosis cases. Martials and Methods: Ninety six blood and amniotic fluids samples were collected from aborted women that are suspected to have Toxoplasma gondii infection from 368 samples collected from Al-Sadir Hospital, Al-Habibia Hospital, Al-Ilwea Hospital, Baghdad for delivery Hospital, Al Khark Hospital, and Educational Laboratories of medicine City, during the period from the 1st May 2014 till the end of June 2015.The results of aborted women investigations were compared with those of 79 apparently healthy controls volunteers pregnant. Results: This study revealed that there is a highly significant increment in genotyping of Toxoplasma Type II, [9(15.25%)], type I and III [2(3.38)]. While the distribution the genotypes of Toxoplasma strains according to age groups showed that the highest frequency (55.6%) of Type I was among those at age (15-25) years, while Type II was predominant (39.6%) among the age group (36-45) years. For Type III, it was observed in very low percentage among aborted (only 2 cases out of 96). The results showed a highly significant difference in IgM level [48(93.8%)] among type II, [9(100%)] Type I, and [2(100%)] Type III in comparison with healthy control (P<0.01). Moreover, the current results revealed a highly significant different in Alpha-fetoprotein AFP positivity among [8(88.9%)], [46(95.8%)] and [2(100.0%)] for Type 1, II and III respectively in comparison with [16(43.2%)] of healthy control While level of AFP (P<0.01). Conclusions: In view of the current results it could be concluded that type II strain was the most common strain among the Genotypes. The genotype I the most deadly type, while type III, which is an entero-zoonotic parasite recorded for the first time in Iraq.