Abstract

*Moshen Akbar and Ruhollah M. M

Toxoplasmosis is an acute infectious disease with worldwide spread between human societies and domestic animals. This study has been carried out to determine the immunity against toxoplasma infection in women at the time of marriage counseling in Zahedan and its relation with conducted demographic factors. This descriptive - analytical study was conducted on 280 women referred to marriage counseling of central laboratory of Zahedan city from January 2010 to May 2010. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and disease relationship was examined with place of residence, educational status, keeping cats at home, and keeping domestic animals and way of meat consumption (cooked or half-cooked) based on statistical tests. In this study the rate of positive cases of IgM was obtained as 5/4%. The results of this study showed no significant relationship between IgM positive cases and education, place of residency and maintenance of domestic animals at home, but significant relationship between IgM positive cases and maintenance of cats at home was observed. Thus, among those who kept cats at home, the rate of IgM antibody positive cases had increased. On the other hand those who had consumed half-cooked or raw meat, positive cases of antibodies increased and significant relationship between the two cases was observed. The results of this study indicated that 94/6% of referred women are negative for toxoplasma antibody and they are at risk of acquiring toxoplasmosis especially during pregnancy and its complications of congenital infections for their babies.