<![CDATA[Background: One of the major infectious micro-organism that is associated with spontaneous abortion is toxoplasmosis. Under diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and lack of understanding the exact mechanism and pathogenesis of spontaneous abortion associating toxoplasmosis are in our opinion the main problem facing clinicians who are concerned with categorization and management of spontaneous abortion in our pregnant ladies. Aim of the current study: to diagnose placental tissues parasitic infections using sophisticated nested PCR method in addition to evaluating gene expression of two pathogenetically Toxoplasma genes, namely ROP-5 and GRA-6, as a step toward estimating the exact prevalence of Toxoplasma associated spontaneous abortion in Iraqi community Patients and methods: The case control study was based on the inclusion of 101 women with spontaneous abortion and 20 pregnant ladies who succeeded to get pregnant serving as control group. The placental tissues were obtained from the pool of women visiting Al-Kut maternity teaching hospital for purpose of delivery or because of abortion. Those tissues were then processed in central laboratory using conventional PCR technique searching for evidence of toxoplasma gondii DNA. Obtained tissues were also subjected to real time PCR for detection of Rhoptry protein 5 gene expression and Toxoplasma gondii specific primers GRA 6. The lab work was done according to instruction of providing company. Results: Positive results were limited to women with spontaneous abortion, that is, none of control women had PCR evidence of Toxoplasma DNA in their placental tissues, 72 (71.3 %) versus 0 (0.0 %); the difference was highly significant (P < 0.001). An estimation of the risk of abortion accompanying toxoplasmosis has been carried out in terms of approximate Odds ratio and the results has been strikingly high (100.8). Both Rhoptry protein 5 and Toxoplasma gondii specific primers GRA 6 gene expressions have been significantly correlated to serum IgG and IgM positive tests in a negative way. Conclusion: PCR carried out on placental tissue is significantly higher sensitive in detecting toxoplasma gondii than serology and Both Rhoptry protein 5 and Toxoplasma gondii specific primers GRA 6 gene expressions play significant role in spontaneous abortion.]]>
