Prevalence of celiac disease and toxoplasmosis during pregnancy

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by gluten sensitivity in genetically susceptible individuals. There is no previous report on CD and Toxoplasma gondii infection and no previous assessments with regard to the association of these conditions on pregnancy. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of undiagnosed CD and T.gondii in the pregnant women. In this descriptive study, during the period of January-July 2007, 496 pregnant women with mean age of 26±5 years (SD 4.11) and mean pregnancy duration 5.2 months were referred to reproduction section of rural and urban health care centers in Lorestan province. They underwent a total IgA test and antihuman IgA class antitissue transglutaminase (tTGA) antibodies for detection of CD. Those with IgA deficiency were tested with IgG tTG. Also IgG and IgM-Toxoplasma level were measured for detection of total antibody against T.gondii. Of 496 pregnant women, 13 (2.6%) had a positive CD serology for tTGA (95% CI: 1.2%-4.3%). 154/496 patients had IgG positive test and 35/154 patients had IgM positive for T.gondii indicating acute stage of T.gondii infection. It is well established that CD and T.gondii infection are both associated with a high incidence of unfavorable outcomes in pregnancy. Our data suggest that CD may predispose to the development of T.gondii infection.