Prevalence of Toxoplasmosis among Antenatal Patients Attending the Outpatient Department of a Tertiary Care Health Facility

Acute infection with Toxoplasma gondii during early pregnancy presents a substantial risk of transplacental transmission, which may lead to severe fetal complications. Detecting specific IgG and IgM antibodies through serological assays is critical for differentiating recent infections from prior exposures. This cross-sectional study involved 50 pregnant women across all three trimesters who attended an antenatal care (ANC) clinic in India. Serum samples were assessed for T. gondii-specific IgG and IgM antibodies using two automated platforms: the VITEK Immunodiagnostic Assay System (VIDAS, employing the ELFA method) and the Architect i2000 system (utilizing the CMIA method). Of the participants, 18% (9 out of 50) were seropositive for T. gondii-specific IgG antibodies (P = 0.038). Seropositivity was most prevalent in the third trimester (66.66%), significantly higher than in the first and second trimesters (11.11%) (P < 0.05). A higher rate of IgG positivity was also observed among non-vegetarian participants (77.77%) compared to vegetarians (22.22%) (P = 0.272), and among primigravida women (55.55%) compared to multigravida women (22.22%) (P = 0.735). In conclusion, both the Architect i2000 (CMIA) and VIDAS TOXOM (ELFA) systems demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity, confirming their utility in the serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women, particularly those with adverse obstetric histories. The study also emphasizes the need to improve expectant mothers' awareness of transmission risks. Targeted educational programs and preventive counselling could play a crucial role in mitigating the incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis. Furthermore, public health initiatives should aim to control T. gondii infections in livestock, particularly sheep and goats, which serve as key zoonotic sources.