Association of Toxoplasma gondii infection with hematological parameters and CD4(+) cell counts among pregnant women attending antenatal care in a public hospital of Northwest Ethiopia.

内容摘要

Toxoplasma gondii affects one-third-of the global population and may alter hematological parameters and CD4+ T cell counts, especially during pregnancy. This study evaluated the association of T. gondii with alterations in hematological values in pregnant women attending a public antenatal care hospital in Northwest Ethiopia. An analytic cross-sectional study of 554 pregnant women (301 seropositive, 253 seronegative) attending antenatal care at a public hospital from 2022 to 2023 assessed T. gondii exposure using ELISA IgG/IgM kits (Human Diagnostics, Germany). Blood samples collected in EDTA tubes were analyzed for hematological profiles using a Coulter Hematology analyzer, and the CD4+ cell count with a BD FACSPresto&#x2122;. Data were analyzed with SPSS 21.0. Descriptive statistics and independent sample t tests were performed: normality was confirmed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in hematological values (white blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell count, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and mean corpuscular volume) between seropositive and seronegative women (p-value < 0.001). Platelet counts showed no significant variation (p-value = 0.811). However, CD4+ cell counts were significantly lower in toxoplasmosis-infected women (p-value < 0.001). Toxoplasma gondii infection is associated with alterations in hematological parameters and immunological profiles in pregnant women. Routine screening during antenatal care and preventive education are recommended.