Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in pregnant women in the Ceské Budĕjovice District

: In 1984-1986 in the district of Ceske Budĕjovice in the southern part of the Czech Republic pregnant women were subjected to serological examinations for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii. A total of 3,392 women were examined within the age bracket 16-54 years. For the serological examination parallel examinations were made using Sabin-Feldman test (SFT) and the complement fixation test (CFT). In SFT the basic serum dilution was 1:4, in CFT 1:10. Pregnant women were examined once or repeatedly. During the first examination which was usually made between the second and third month of pregnancy the total (SFT and CFT) prevalence was 37%. In the SFT antibodies were detected in 35%, in CFT in 25%. The second blood sample was taken during the 4th-5th month of pregnancy and subsequent samples during the 8th-9th month of pregnancy. In women who were examined twice or repeatedly (a total of 1,409 women), the dynamics of prevalence of antibodies were recorded. 64% women were permanently negative, 33% women were permanently positive with the same or a slightly varying titre and in 3% women during pregnancy, seroconversion was observed or a significant rise of antibodies. In 20 women where seroconversion or a significant rise of antibodies was found data were collected to find out whether in their children from birth to the age of 12-13 years toxoplasmosis was diagnosed. The toxoplasmosis was not diagnosed in these children.