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Parasitic infections and pregnancy complications

  • Published:
Helminthologia

Summary

Infections of various aetiology during pregnancy present a serious risk factor that can lead to abortion, premature birth, stillbirth, birth of newborn with genetic developmental defects, or seemingly healthy infant that may develop symptoms later in life. A total of 530 sera of patients from gynaecology departments were examined for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, Toxocara spp. and Listeria monocytogenes using ELISA (IgG, IgM). In women with habitual abortions we determined up to 42.1 % seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against T. gondii. The prevalence of antibodies was statistically significant (p < 0.0004) when compared to control group (25.1 %). In the patients diagnosed with sterility the prevalence of antibodies (26.3 %) was similar to that of control group. The prevalence of antibodies against Toxocara spp. (5.5 %) and Listeria monocytogenes (2.3 %) in patients with habitual abortions were similar to those of women in the general population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Parasitological Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01, KoŠice, Slovak Republic

    J. Pavlinová, J. Kinčeková, Z. Vasilková & A. Königová

  2. 2nd Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty of the UPJŠ and University Hospital of L. Pasteur, Rastislavova 43, 040 01, KoŠice, Slovak Republic

    A. Ostró & L. Saksun

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  1. J. Pavlinová
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  2. J. Kinčeková
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  3. A. Ostró
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  4. L. Saksun
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  5. Z. Vasilková
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  6. A. Königová
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Correspondence to J. Kinčeková.

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Pavlinová, J., Kinčeková, J., Ostró, A. et al. Parasitic infections and pregnancy complications. Helminthologia 48, 8–12 (2011). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11687-011-0002-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11687-011-0002-x

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