Toxoplasma gondii in Pregnancy: A Study on Bad Obstetric History in Quetta | Thesis PDF

Toxoplasma gondii in Pregnancy: A Study on Bad Obstetric History in Quetta | Thesis PDF

About the Author

Haleema Sadia is a researcher specializing in microbiology and public health. Her M.Phil thesis, completed in 2018 at the University of Balochistan, Quetta, provides a critical investigation into the prevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among women with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Her work contributes vital data to the understanding of this parasitic infection’s impact on maternal and fetal health in the Balochistan region.

Discover the significant link between Toxoplasma gondii infection and Bad Obstetric History (BOH) in Quetta, Pakistan. This in-depth analysis of Haleema Sadia’s 2018 thesis reveals the high prevalence of toxoplasmosis, identifies key risk factors like cat ownership and diet, and underscores the urgent need for health education to prevent severe pregnancy complications.

Understanding the Link Between Toxoplasmosis and Pregnancy Complications

Bad Obstetric History (BOH) is a term used to describe a range of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including recurrent miscarriages, stillbirths, intrauterine growth retardation, and the birth of infants with congenital anomalies. While the causes of BOH can be multifactorial, infections are a primary area of concern. One of the most significant infectious agents implicated in such cases is Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes the disease toxoplasmosis (Sadia, 2018, p. 2). A primary infection acquired during pregnancy can be transmitted to the fetus, potentially leading to severe and life-threatening consequences.

This article explores the findings of the M.Phil thesis titled “PREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII IN WOMEN HAVING BAD OBSTETRIC HISTORY (BOH) IN QUETTA, PAKISTAN” by Haleema Sadia (2018), submitted to the University of Balochistan, Quetta. The research provides a crucial epidemiological snapshot of toxoplasmosis prevalence in a specific high-risk group of women in the Quetta district, an area where data on this issue has been scarce. The study investigates the seroprevalence of the parasite and analyzes the associated risk factors that contribute to infection (Sadia, 2018, p. 5).

Objectives of the Research

The primary aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among women who have experienced Bad Obstetric History and to compare it with a control group of women with normal obstetric histories in Quetta. The specific objectives outlined in the thesis were as follows (Sadia, 2018, p. 7):

• To determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies (IgG and IgM) in women with BOH.
• To compare the infection rates between the BOH group and a control group of women with healthy pregnancies.
• To identify and evaluate the potential risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in the study population.
• To raise awareness among healthcare providers and the public about the risks of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy.
• To provide baseline data that can help in formulating preventive strategies and public health policies to reduce the incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis in the region.

Study Design and Methodology

To achieve its objectives, the research employed a comparative cross-sectional study design, conducted from May 2016 to April 2017. The methodology involved serological testing and data collection through a structured questionnaire (Sadia, 2018, p. 19).

Sample Collection and Grouping

The study population consisted of 200 women of childbearing age (15-45 years) attending various hospitals in Quetta. These participants were divided into two groups. The first group, the case group, comprised 100 women with a documented Bad Obstetric History. The second group, the control group, consisted of 100 women with normal obstetric histories and at least one healthy child (Sadia, 2018, p. 19). From each participant, a 3-5 ml blood sample was collected aseptically. The serum was separated via centrifugation and stored at -20°C until it could be analyzed for Toxoplasma antibodies (Sadia, 2018, p. 20).

Serological Analysis for Toxoplasma Antibodies

The presence of Toxoplasma gondii infection was determined by detecting specific antibodies in the serum samples. The Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique was used for this purpose. This highly sensitive test can detect both IgG and IgM antibodies. The presence of IgG antibodies indicates a past or chronic infection, suggesting the individual has been exposed to the parasite at some point in their life. The presence of IgM antibodies, on the other hand, typically signifies a recent or acute infection, which poses the greatest risk during pregnancy (Sadia, 2018, p. 21).

Risk Factor Assessment

In addition to blood sampling, each participant was asked to complete a detailed questionnaire. This questionnaire was designed to gather demographic data and information on potential risk factors for toxoplasmosis. These factors included cat ownership or contact with cat feces, consumption of raw or undercooked meat, drinking unpasteurized milk or untreated water, and gardening habits (Sadia, 2018, p. 20). The data collected was then statistically analyzed to find any significant association between these behaviors and the prevalence of infection.

Key Findings: Prevalence and Associated Risks

The results of the serological tests and questionnaire analysis provided clear and significant insights into the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in the studied population.

High Seroprevalence in Women with BOH

The study revealed a significantly higher prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies in the group of women with Bad Obstetric History compared to the control group. Overall, 58% of women in the BOH group tested positive for IgG antibodies, indicating past exposure, compared to only 24% in the control group (Sadia, 2018, p. 26). More critically, IgM antibodies, indicating a recent infection, were detected in 16% of the women with BOH, while none of the women in the control group tested positive for IgM (Sadia, 2018, p. 28). This stark difference strongly suggests that active or recent toxoplasmosis is a major contributing factor to the adverse pregnancy outcomes experienced by the women in the BOH group.

Significant Risk Factors Identified

The statistical analysis of the questionnaire data successfully identified several key risk factors that were significantly associated with Toxoplasma infection. The most prominent risk factors included:

• Contact with Cats: A strong association was found between seropositivity and having cats at home. Cats are the definitive hosts for T. gondii and shed the parasite’s oocysts in their feces (Sadia, 2018, p. 33).
• Consumption of Undercooked Meat: Women who reported eating raw or partially cooked meat showed a higher prevalence of infection. This is a well-known transmission route, as tissue cysts of the parasite can be present in the meat of infected animals (Sadia, 2018, p. 34).
• Drinking Unboiled Milk: The consumption of raw, unpasteurized milk was also identified as a significant risk factor, suggesting it as another potential vehicle for the parasite (Sadia, 2018, p. 35).

Discussion and Public Health Implications

The findings of this thesis have profound implications for maternal and child health in the Quetta region and beyond. The high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection, especially active infection, among women with BOH underscores the urgent need for routine screening and greater awareness.

The Need for Routine Screening and Health Education

This study provides compelling evidence that Toxoplasma gondii is a significant, yet often overlooked, cause of reproductive failure in the region (Sadia, 2018, p. 43). The results advocate for the integration of toxoplasmosis screening into the routine antenatal care provided to pregnant women, particularly those with a history of obstetric complications. Furthermore, a targeted health education campaign is desperately needed. Women of childbearing age must be educated about the specific risk factors identified—such as proper handling of cat litter, thoroughly cooking all meat, and avoiding unpasteurized dairy products. Simple preventive measures can drastically reduce the risk of primary infection during pregnancy and, consequently, the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis (Sadia, 2018, p. 45). This research by Haleema Sadia serves as a vital call to action for healthcare professionals and policymakers in Pakistan to address this preventable cause of pregnancy loss and congenital disease.

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What is the primary connection between Toxoplasma gondii and Bad Obstetric History (BOH)?

The primary connection is that a Toxoplasma gondii infection acquired for the first time during pregnancy can be transmitted from the mother to the fetus (congenital transmission). This can lead to severe complications that fall under the umbrella of BOH, including miscarriage, stillbirth, and serious birth defects affecting the brain and eyes of the newborn (Sadia, 2018, p. 3).

Why did this study test for both IgG and IgM antibodies?

The study tested for both types of antibodies to differentiate between past (chronic) and recent (acute) infections. IgG antibodies indicate a past exposure and usually imply immunity, posing less risk. However, the presence of IgM antibodies suggests a recent primary infection. An acute infection during pregnancy is of the greatest clinical concern as it carries the highest risk of transmission to the fetus (Sadia, 2018, p. 21).

According to this thesis, what were the most significant preventable risk factors for toxoplasmosis in Quetta?

The most significant preventable risk factors identified were direct contact with cats or their feces, the consumption of undercooked or raw meat, and drinking unboiled or unpasteurized milk. These findings highlight that lifestyle and dietary habits play a crucial role in the transmission of the parasite in the studied population (Sadia, 2018, pp. 33-35).

Readability Disclaimer

This blog post is an SEO-optimized adaptation of an academic thesis. While every effort has been made to preserve the core findings and meaning of the original research, the language and structure have been modified for clarity, readability, and accessibility to a broader audience. This version is intended as an informative summary and not a substitute for the original scholarly work. For in-depth details and rigorous scientific context, readers are encouraged to consult the original thesis.

PREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII IN WOMEN HAVING BAD OBSTETRIC HISTORY (BOH) IN QUETTA, PAKISTAN pdf

Sources & Thesis Details

• Title: PREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII IN WOMEN HAVING BAD OBSTETRIC HISTORY (BOH) IN QUETTA, PAKISTAN
• Author: HALEEMA SADIA
• Institution: University of Balochistan, Quetta
• Year: 2018