Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women in south western, Saudi Arabia.

This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women in the south western region of Saudi Arabia and to find out the possible risk factors that may lead to infection. This cross sectional hospital based study was carried out at three hospitals in the south western region of Saudi Arabia from January 2008 to August 2010. Blood samples from 487 pregnant women were collected and used to detect anti-T. gondii antibodies IgM and IgG by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A questionnaire interview was carried out to ask about some risk factors of infection. Among the 487 studied pregnant women, 38.8 % were seropositive for anti T. gondii IgG while 6.2 % were positive for anti T. gondii IgM and 3.3 % were positive for both anti T. gondii IgG & IgM. The only risk factor associated with seropositive anti T. gondii IgM was the history of the intake of immunosuppressive drugs. Regarding anti T. gondii IgG seropositivity, it was found to increase significantly with increased age, number of gravida and parities, and previous history of toxoplasmosis. The seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG & IgM by ELISA among pregnant women in the south western region of Saudi Arabia is considerable with few identifiable significant risk factors reported.

INF-gamma, IL-5 and IgE profiles in chronic schistosomiasis mansoni Egyptian patients with or without hepatitis C infection.

The immune response against clinical forms of chronic schistosomiasis mansoni patients with or without HCV infection was evaluated by assays the serum levels of IFN-gamma and IL-5 for estimate the cell mediated immunity and IgE level to estimate the humoral immunity. This study included three patient groups. G.I included 25 patients with intestinal schistosomiasis, G.II included 15 patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis and G.III included 40 patients hepatosplenic schistosomiasis co-infected with HCV. Control G.IV included 15 healthy persons with matched age and sex. The intestinal group had high IFN-gamma (92%), normal level of IL-5 and IgE. The immune response was mainly 100% Th-1 response. The hepatosplenic patients had high IFN-gamma (26.7%), IL-5 (86.7%) and IgE (73.3%). The immune response was 73.4% Th-0, 13.3% Th-1 and 13.3% Th-2. The co-infected group had high IFN-gamma (62.7%), IL-5 (100%) and IgE (92.5%). The immune response was 62.5% Th-0 and 37.5% Th-2 immunity. The shift to Th-0 and Th-2 immunity as well as associated depression of Th-1 in mixed group of patients may be playing a role in the persistence and severity of both diseases. Such immunity defects add to decrease challenge against HCV clearance.