Volume 28, Issue 5 (Iran South Med J 2026)
Iran South Med J 2026, 28(5): 816-825 |
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Heydari V, Sahebani A R, Rayani M, Barazesh A. Investigating the Presence of Anti-Toxoplasma Antibodies in Newborns in Bushehr, Iran. Iran South Med J 2026; 28 (5) :816-825
URL: http://ismj.bpums.ac.ir/article-1-2450-en.html
URL: http://ismj.bpums.ac.ir/article-1-2450-en.html
1- Department of Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
2- Student Research and Technology Committee, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
3- Department of Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran ,abarazesh@bpums.ac.ir
2- Student Research and Technology Committee, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
3- Department of Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran ,
Abstract: (136 Views)
Background: Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common parasitic infections, which, when transmitted congenitally, can lead to severe complications in neonates. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in the blood samples of newborns in Bushehr, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive–analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 181 newborns delivered in Bushehr hospitals between 2022 and 2023. Blood samples were collected from each neonate, and the levels of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The obtained results, along with questionnaire data, were analyzed using the Chi-square statistical test in SPSS software.
Results: Among the 181 neonates examined, 33 (18.2%) had a positive titer of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody, while 148 (81.8%) showed no detectable IgG antibodies in their serum. Of the IgG-positive samples, two neonates also showed the presence of specific anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies. The remaining 179 samples (98.9%) were negative for IgM antibodies.
Conclusion The findings of this study emphasize the necessity of increasing maternal awareness and establishing toxoplasmosis screening programs during pregnancy. Although the prevalence of acute Toxoplasma infection among the examined neonates was low, early diagnosis and follow-up of infants with positive IgM results can greatly reduce potential long-term complications.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive–analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 181 newborns delivered in Bushehr hospitals between 2022 and 2023. Blood samples were collected from each neonate, and the levels of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The obtained results, along with questionnaire data, were analyzed using the Chi-square statistical test in SPSS software.
Results: Among the 181 neonates examined, 33 (18.2%) had a positive titer of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody, while 148 (81.8%) showed no detectable IgG antibodies in their serum. Of the IgG-positive samples, two neonates also showed the presence of specific anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies. The remaining 179 samples (98.9%) were negative for IgM antibodies.
Conclusion The findings of this study emphasize the necessity of increasing maternal awareness and establishing toxoplasmosis screening programs during pregnancy. Although the prevalence of acute Toxoplasma infection among the examined neonates was low, early diagnosis and follow-up of infants with positive IgM results can greatly reduce potential long-term complications.
Type of Study: Original |
Subject:
Parasitology
Received: 2025/11/5 | Accepted: 2026/02/24 | Published: 2026/05/25
Received: 2025/11/5 | Accepted: 2026/02/24 | Published: 2026/05/25
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