Prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies in pregnant African women in Tanzania.

Abstract

Three hundred and fifty-seven serum samples from pregnant African women were examined for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies with indirect haemagglutination test in Dar es Salaam. Out of these 222 women were normal, sixty-nine had anaemia and sixty-six were suffering from hypertension. Infection rate in normal pregnant women was 41.9%, in anaemic women 52.5%, and in those suffering from hypertension 66.7%. Highly significant relationship was observed between Toxoplasma infection and anaemia, and hypertension. Infection rate was significantly high in women who had histories of abortion. The results suggested associations of Toxoplasma gondii infection with hypertension and anaemia in African women.

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