Some Serologic Markers of Toxoplasma gondii, Cytomegalovirus and Rubella Virus in Pregnant Women in Saint Petersburg

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Currently, research investigating specific immunity to various TORCH pathogens (Toxoplasma gondii, cytomegalovirus, rubella virus) in pregnant women remains relevant.

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the detection rates of the main serologic markers of TORCH in pregnant women in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the screening of pregnant women (n = 6605) was performed for the presence and levels of specific anti-Toxoplasma gondii, anti-rubella, and anti-cytomegalovirus immunoglobulins M and G in the blood.

RESULTS: The rubella seroprevalence rate was 98.2% (n = 4428), with the highest number of seronegative women in the age group of 31 to 35 years. In 8.4% of cases, the serum level of anti-rubella immunoglobulin G was below the protective level. Anti-cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin G was found in 1632 (81.9%) pregnant women, with a significant age-related increase in the number of seropositive women (p < 0.001). Specific anti-Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulin G was found in 28% (n = 1375) of pregnant women. The percentage of seropositive women also increased with age (p < 0.001), with the highest level reported in women aged > 40 years (40.74%).

CONCLUSION: The high level of rubella seroprevalence in pregnant women suggests that testing for anti-rubella antibodies should be performed only in the second trimester. Anti-cytomegalovirus screening is recommended for pregnant women with known risk factors for congenital cytomegalovirus infection. It is recommended to continue anti-Toxoplasma gondii screening because of the high percentage of Toxoplasma gondii seronegative pregnant women in Russia.

About the authors

Ivan V. Markin

Federal Research and Clinical Center for Infectious Diseases under the Federal Medical Biological Agency

Author for correspondence.
Email: i.v.markin@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9922-401X
SPIN-code: 6232-6834

MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine)

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Valery V. Vasilev

Federal Research and Clinical Center for Infectious Diseases under the Federal Medical Biological Agency; North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov

Email: vcubed@ya.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2579-2799
SPIN-code: 5644-9877

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg; Saint Petersburg

Natalia V. Rogozina

Federal Research and Clinical Center for Infectious Diseases under the Federal Medical Biological Agency

Email: lelekin96@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-0968-6291
SPIN-code: 8945-8293

MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine)

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Alexei Yu. Zolotarev

City Polyclinic No. 107

Email: A.Zolotarev@P107.SPB.RU
ORCID iD: 0009-0006-5906-3286
Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Alla E. Nikolaeva

Academician I.P. Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University

Email: alla-nikolaeva2007@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3802-5468
SPIN-code: 6472-0617

MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine)

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Regina A. Ivanova

Federal Research and Clinical Center for Infectious Diseases under the Federal Medical Biological Agency; Academician I.P. Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University

Email: reg-iv@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1809-9443
SPIN-code: 5153-0751

MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine)

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg; Saint Petersburg

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Supplementary files

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2. Fig. 1. Rates of cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, and rubella infections in pregnant women by age group.

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3. Fig. 2. Distribution of blood anti-rubella immunoglobulin G levels in pregnant women.

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