Association between seroprevalence of IgG anti-Toxoplasma gondii and risk factors for infection among pregnant women in Climério de Oliveira Maternity, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

Maternal Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection can lead to spontaneous abortion, fetal malformation, and numerous sequelae in the newborn, including visual and hearing impairment. T. gondii serology was determined in pregnant women and their newborns who were referred to Climério de Oliveira Maternity, Federal University of Bahia, and the possible associations with the risk factors for maternal infection were investigated. This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December 2014 and included 712 pregnant women, aged 15 to 49 years, and 235 newborns. Seroprevalence was determined by the detection of T. gondii-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) M (IgM) and IgG antibodies using enzyme-linked immunoassay. In addition, mothers completed a questionnaire that focused on socioeconomic aspects, and survey data were tabulated using the SPSS statistical software program (version 21.0 for Windows). The seroprevalence rate for specific IgG antibodies was 51% (362) among mothers and 93% (219) among neonates. All the mothers and their newborns were negative for specific-IgM antibodies. Higher age group and lower maternal education were the only risk factors statistically associated with the presence of specific IgG. In summary, high levels of specific IgG antibodies were observed in pregnant women. The knowledge of risk factors for toxoplasmosis can help in the orientation of newly pregnant women.

Toxoplasma gondiiinfection in pregnant women: a cross-sectional study in Matehuala City, Mexico

“… 11 These studies used the same immunoassay to detect anti- T. gondii IgG antibodies. In the Americas context, the seroprevalence found in this study is lower than the 39.8% to 51% seroprevalence of T. gondii infection reported in pregnant women in Cali City, Colombia; 14 Bahia State, Brazil; 15 and 10 English-speaking Caribbean countries. 16 In addition, the seroprevalence found in pregnant women in Matehuala City is lower than the 11.1% to 21.9% seroprevalences of T. gondii infection reported in European countries including Spain, 17 Portugal, 18 Turkey 19 and Sweden.…”

Serological and molecular screening of umbilical cord blood for Toxoplasma gondii infection

“…The results of UCB serologic testing showed a prevalence of 6% and 36% for anti‐ Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies, respectively. These results are in accordance is with other reported prevalence among pregnant women from Egypt; 30.16% and 33.79% and also from other countries as 40.15% for IgG and 9% for IgM in Northern Tanzania, 41.3% for IgG in Iran, 32.5% for IgG and 6.4% for IgM in Saudi Arabia and 51% for IgG and 0% for IgM in Brazil . Results of PCR was 11% indicating active infection.…”

Socioeconomic vulnerability associated to Toxoplasma gondii exposure in southern Brazil

“…gondii antibodies were respectively 2.60 and 3.10 higher than in people aged 18 years old or younger. Such association have probably occurred due to longer risk exposure, increasing the individual chances of been infected over time [29,34,35]. The disease manifestation may not be related to latent stage but the loss of disability-adjusted life years (DALY) has been suggested on long term [10].…”

“…Lack of information about potential transmission ways may have exposed vulnerable populations to infection [40], and may indicate the importance of education as health promotion and disease prevention. School years and toxoplasmosis were statistically associated (p = 0.010) in a survey with 712 pregnant women from northeastern and 229 (p = 0.049; OR:2.52) from central-western Brazil [34,35], highlighting that prevalence may be higher in illiterate women. As expected, education in public health for pregnant women has shown to be an effective prevention measure [41].…”