Online ISSN: 2515-8260

Toxoplasma Infection and Its Association with Spontaneous Abortion: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis in Iranian Women

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Anand Khandwekar, Biswajeet Champaty

Abstract

The Apicomplexa phylum contains the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can infect humans and cause miscarriage, spread of infection, and asymptomatic newborn illness. In the current study, we assessed the incidence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibody in Iranian women who had recently experienced an unplanned abortion. We looked through domestic and foreign data sources, such as Irandoc, Magiran, SID, Medlib, Scopus, PubMed, and Science Direct. MeSH phrases and keywords were used in the search method. Using STATA 14.2, the statistical examination was completed. The statistical evaluation was carried out with a heterogeneity of 75% and 50%, respectively, using the random effects and fixed effects model. To determine study heterogeneity, we employed the chi-square test and I2 index. Funnel charts and Egger testing were used to assess publication bias. According to the random-effects model, the seroprevalence positivity percentage of IgG among women who experienced abortions was detected at 32% [confidence interval, 94% (CI): 20-45%]. In women who had recently had an abortion, the seroprevalence affirmative rate of IgM according to the fixed-effect model was estimated to be 4% (94% CI: 3-6%) and the positive IgG rate depending on the random-effect theory to be 34% (9% CI: 3-42%), respectively. Our study's findings suggest that toxoplasmosis may be one of the major factors contributing to abortion.

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