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.

BACKGROUND

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.

METHODS

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™. 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).

CONCLUSION

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.