COMPARISON SEROPREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII, RUBELLA, AND CYTOMEGALOVIRUS IN MUŞ PROVINCE BEFORE AND DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMİC

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), rubella and cytomegalovirus (CMV) and the primary infection rates of these agents with avidity test in pregnant women in Muş province. Additionally, the effect of prevention and protection measures implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic on the prevalence of T. gondii, rubella and CMV in pregnant women was also investigated. Between 2018 and 2021, IgG and IgM antibodies in the serum samples of pregnant women who applied to the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics polyclinic of Muş State Hospital were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA). High and low avidity assays were examined by enzyme linked fluorescence assay (ELFA). Low seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG antibody (28%) and the detection of low avidity detection in 38 of 102 pregnant women indicate that this parasite may be a risk for intrauterine life. Rubella IgG (89%) and CMV IgG (99%) antibodies were found to carry a low risk due to their high seroprevalence and avidity. It was determined that Covid-19 prevention and protection measures caused a significant decrease in the prevalence of rubella and CMV, but had no effect on the prevalence of T.gondii.