TY  - JOUR
TI  - Comparison of the Toxoplasma Seroprevalence 
Rates in Syrian Refugee Pregnant Women and 
Turkish Pregnant Women
AB  - Objective: This study evaluated the Toxoplasma seroprevalence rates of pregnant women among Syrian refugees and local 
residents and examined the effect of large-scale migrations of communities on Toxoplasma seroprevalence.
Methods: A total of 29,424 pregnant women (age range: 15-45 years) who presented to Kahramanmaraş Necip Fazıl City 
Hospital Gynecology and Obstetrics Outpatient Clinic between January 2012 and January 2021 for routine follow-up during 
the first trimester of pregnancy were retrospectively examined and included in the study. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgG 
values of the pregnant women were divided into two groups: Local residents and refugees. Each group was divided into three age 
subgroups: 5-25 years, 25-35 years, and 35-45 years. Results of the refugees and local residents were compared in general terms 
and based on age groups.
Results: The seropositivity rate for Toxoplasma IgM was higher in refugees than in local residents (2.7% vs. 1.6%; p=<0.05). 
Similarly, the prevalence of IgG seropositivity was higher in the refugee group (64% vs. 41%; p=<0.05). According to age groups, 
this statistical difference was preserved for both Toxoplasma IgM and IgG.
Conclusion: It has been found that local residents and refugees in our province were above the global average in terms of 
Toxoplasma seropositivity rate. Seropositivity rates in the refugees appeared to be higher than those in countries with a routine 
screening program. Therefore, routine Toxoplasma screening should be performed in pregnant women, especially in our region.
AU  - hansu, inci
AU  - Özdemir, Halis
AU  - Hansu, Kemal
AU  - tok, abdullah
AU  - çıkım, gürkan
DO  - 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2021.36855
PY  - 2021
JO  - Türkiye Parazitoloji Dergisi
VL  - 45
IS  - 4
SN  - 1300-6320
SP  - 247
EP  - 251
DB  - TRDizin
UR  - http://search/yayin/detay/508881
ER  -