genetic characterization of toxoplasma gondii in women of reproductive age in the north of iran

Context: toxoplasmosis in females plays a prominent role in fetal health owing to serious pathologicalproblems including abortion, hydrocephaly, mental retardation, and chorioretinitis.aims: the purpose of the present investigation was to study the seroprevalence and genetic characterizationof toxoplasma gondii in female population using elisa and polymerase chain reaction (pcr) techniques inmazandaran province, iran.setting and design: this was a cross‑sectional study on girls and women of childbearing age in mazandaranprovince from 2018 to 2019.materials and methods: a total of 500 serum samples were collected and studied employing elisa andpcr assays. prior to sampling, a questionnaire was filled out for each case.statistical analysis used: chi‑square or fisher’s exact test was used to analyze the obtained data, andassociations were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05.results: the total seroprevalence of the studied sera was 26.6% for igg antibody, and also, 4.2% of thesamples showed anti‑toxoplasma igm antibody. furthermore, there was a statistically significant relationshipbetween seroprevalence of toxoplasma and residential area and marital status. genetic characterization oft. gondii revealed that 20% of the positive samples were type ii and 0.2% was types i and ii.conclusions: the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in girls and women of childbearing age in the north ofiran is considerable. residential area and consumption of vegetables are identified as potentially preventablerisk factors for acquiring toxoplasmosis in mazandaran province.