Evolution ROP16 gene expression of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant and aborted women

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasitic protozoan that can cause toxoplasmosis in humans and other vertebrate. T. gondii can manipulate the host gene expression by interfering with miRNA expression, which is closely associated with the molecular mechanisms and can induced infection. This study assessed the evolution of ROP16 gene expression in 192 cases that were categorized into 156 pregnant women, and 36 women with abortion. Out of the 156 pregnant women, 23 cases were positive for real time-PCR and out of all 36 aborted women, 16 of them were positive for real time-PCR investigation for toxoplasma gondii. The result showed the level of ROP-16 expression was higher significantly in abortion group when compared to pregnancy group, 32 versus 14.83, respectively (p = 0.031). These finding also suggest high expression of ROP 16 gene in blood than placenta tissue.