Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, cytomegalovirus, rubella virus and Chlamydia trachomatis among infertile women attending in vitro fertilization center, Gaza strip, Palestine

Abstract

In the present study, the seroprevalence of Toxoplasmia gondii, rubella, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Chlamydia trachomatis in Palestinian women was determined through antenatal screening. The study included 1954 Palestinian women records which were reviewed and analyzed statistically from 2000-2005. Those women attended In vitro fertilization center in Gaza complaining from infertility and abortion. Anti-Toxoplasma, anti-rubella, anti-CMV and anti-Chlamydia IgM antibodies were assayed using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Positive results were found in 7.9%, 6%, 7% and 12.8% for T. gondii, CMV, Rubella and C. trachomatis antibodies. A high significant infection rate was observed in year 2003 (P = 0.001) for T. gondii. A clear variation with statistical significance was observed in the seroprevalence for all the studied pathogens regarding year of collection and age of women. The study indicated that T. gondii, rubella, CMV and C. trachomatis are still constitute a public health problem among pregnant women and considered one of the abortion factors.