Summary:
In 1984–1986 in the district of České Budějovice in the southern part of the Czech Republic pregnant
women were subjected to serological examinations for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii. A total
of 3 392 women were examined within the age bracket 16–54 years. For the serological examination
parallel examinations were made using Sabin-Feldman test (SFT) and the complement fixation test
(CFT). In SFT the basic serum dilution was 1:4, in CFT 1:10. Pregnant women were examined once
or repeatedly. During the first examination which was usually made between the second and third
month of pregnancy the total (SFT and CFT) prevalence was 37%. In the SFR antibodies were
detected in 35%, in CFT in 25%. The second blood sample was taken during the 4 th –5 th month of
pregnancy and subsequent samples during the 8 th –9 th month of pregnancy. In women who were
examined twice or repeatedly (a total of 1 409 women), the dynamics of prevalence of antibodies
were recorded. 64% women were permanently negative, 33% women were permanently positive with
the same or a slightly varying titre and in 3% women during pregnancy, seroconversion was
observed or a significant rise of antibodies. In 20 women where seroconversion or a significant rise
of antibodies was found data were collected to find out whether in their children from birth to the
age of 12–13 years toxoplasmosis was diagnosed. The toxoplasmosis was not diagnosed in these
children.
Key words:
Czech Republic – pregnant women – serological examination – toxoplasmosis.
|