Antenatal screening for Toxoplasma gondii, Cytomegalovirus, rubella and Treponema pallidum infections in northern Benin

Abstract

Abstractobjectives Toxoplasma gondii, cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and rubella virus infections are among the most serious of those contracted during pregnancy in terms of foetal consequences. Toxoplasma, HCMV and rubella antibody screening is unusual in Africa, and there are few published data. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of these markers among pregnant women in northern Benin on the occasion of routine syphilis screening.methods Toxoplasma, HCMV and rubella IgG and IgM antibodies were determined in the serum of 283 women attending Saint Jean de Dieu de Tangui eta hospital, using an enzyme immunoassay, and IgM were confirmed using an enzyme-linked fluorescent assay (ELFA). In the case of IgM positivity, the avidity of anti-HCMV and anti-Toxoplasma IgG was measured. Total anti-Treponema pallidum antibodies were determined using an enzyme immunoassay and confirmed by immunoblotting. In the case of positivity, the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test was used.results The prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma, anti-HCMV, anti-rubella IgG and total anti-Treponema antibodies was, respectively, 30.0%, 100%, 94% and 2.5%. The VDRL test was positive in 62.5% of the anti-Treponema-positive samples. The prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma, anti-HCMV and anti-rubella IgM was, respectively, 0.4%, 1.4% and 0%. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of age class or trimester of pregnancy. Anti-Toxoplasma and anti-HCMV IgG avidity was always high.conclusions The prevalence of HCMV and rubella antibodies is high in northern Benin, whereas that of Toxoplasma antibodies is lower. As nearly two-thirds of the pregnant women were antiToxoplasma seronegative, antibody screening should be introduced.

Prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women and vertical transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in patients from basic units of health from Gurupi, Tocantins, Brazil, from 2012 to 2014

“…Women health care, especially during pregnancy, is of utmost importance in public health policies. The antenatal care provides the adequate moment to the implementation of prophylactic measures against maternal-fetal transmission of several diseases, including toxoplasmosis which presents high prevalence [ 36 ]. The first consultation of antenatal care should occur as precociously as possible [ 37 ], which is in discordance of the data found in this study in which the average first consultation period was of 18 weeks of gestational age.…”

Sero-epidemiology and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women in Arab and African countries

“…A lower prevalence rate was reported from Benin (30.0 %) (De Paschale et al 2014) and Burkina Faso (20.3 %) (Linguissi et al 2012). …”

Transalkylation of Higher Trifluoromethylated Fullerenes with C70: A Pathway to New Addition Patterns of C70(CF3)8

“…Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an important etiological agent, which infects humans specifically and attacks people with weakened immune systems. Virus invasion in pregnant women can cause palacental infection, ultimately leading to abortion, stillbirth, or fetal damage 1, 2. CMV infection can also cause serious complications and death in transplant patients 3.…”