FlowCytomix analysis for Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women in central Taiwan

Summary

The study was to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in the sera of pregnant women in central Taiwan and to investigate the levels of cytokine in the sera of pregnant women with Toxoplasma gondii infection. The 220 blood samples were collected from pregnant women. The haematological parameters of peripheral blood were analysed by a haematology analyser. Serum samples of the pregnant women were analysed by a commercially available anti-T. gondii IgM/IgG antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit and FlowCytomix assays. Six (2.7%) of the sera samples had IgM anti-T. gondii antibodies, and twenty (9.1%) had T. gondii IgG seropositive. All six IgM seropositive samples had low IgG avidity, indicative of acute infection. Total white blood cells and eosinophils were statistically significantly increased (p<0.05) in pregnant women with T. gondii infection, as compared with healthy pregnant women. Th1 cytokines IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2 and IL-12 p70, and Th2 cytokines IL-10 in pregnant women with T. gondii IgM/IgG seropositive were significantly increased (p<0.05), as compared with healthy pregnant women. These results showed that both of Th1 and Th2 cytokines play an important role in the toxoplasmosis of pregnant women.

Keywords:

• Cytokine
• pregnant
• Taiwan
• T. gondii

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Cheng-You Lu, Department of Parasitology, Chung Shan Medical University, for experimental assistance and Dr Long-Yau Lin, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chung San Medical University Hospital; Dr Chiou-Shoie Chen, Shin Feshen Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital; Dr Jaw-Ming Chou, Chou, Obstetric and Gynaecology Hospital; Dr Jiann-Jong Lee, Meitsun Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital; and Dr Jiing-Chyng Tasi, Tasi Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.