Factors associated to infection by Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women attended in Basic Health Units in the city of Rolândia, Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

SUMMARYThe aim of the present work was to determine the prevalence of IgG and IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and the factors associated to the infection in pregnant women attended in Basic Health Units in Rolândia, Paraná, Brazil. The sample was divided in two groups: group I (320 pregnant women who were analyzed from July 2007 to February 2008) and group II (287 pregnant women who were analyzed from March to October 2008). In group I, it was found 53.1% of pregnant women with IgG reactive and IgM nonreactive, 1.9% with IgG and IgM reactive, 0.3% with IgG non-reactive and IgM reactive and 44.7% with IgG and IgM non-reactive. In group II, it was found 55.1% with IgG reactive and IgM non-reactive and 44.9% with IgG and IgM non-reactive. The variables associated to the presence of IgG antibodies were: residence in rural areas, pregnant women between 35-40 years old, low educational level, low family income, more than one pregnancy, drinking water which does not originate from the public water supply system and the habit of handling soil or sand. Guidance on primary prevention measures and the quarterly serological monitoring of the pregnant women in the risk group are important measures to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasmosis seroepidemiology in pregnant women in a city in the Northwest region of the Paraná State, Brazil

“…This result is similar when compared to the results found in Rolândia (PR) and Londrina (PR), with pregnant women between 36 and 45 years old, and between 31 and 48 years old, respectively (Lopes et al, 2009;Dias et al, 2011). In two maternity wards in Cuiabá (MT), an association between age and seropositivity was found (Leão et al, 2004).…”

“…In this paper, the prevalence for IgM anti-T. gondii antibodies was 1.0%, a lower result than that found in researches conducted in Palotina (PR) (Bittencourt et al, 2012), Vitória (ES) (Areal and Miranda, 2008), Londrina (PR) (Mandai et al, 2007), Rolândia (PR) (Dias et al, 2011), Miracema (RJ) (Ribeiro et al, 2008) and Recife (PE) (Porto et al, 2008), which detected 1.1%, 1.3%, 1.7%, 1.9%, 2.0%, and 2.8%, respectively. In the state of Santa Catarina (Sandrin et al, 2012), researchers have found a prevalence of 0.57%.…”

“…In other cities in the state of Paraná, serological surveys have shown prevalence of 56.6% and 49.2% in Londrina (Mandai et al, 2007;Lopes et al, 2009), 55.1% in Rolândia (Dias et al, 2011) and 59.8% and 60.6% in Palotina and Jesuítas, respectively (Bittencourt et al, 2012).…”

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasmosis in Humans and Dogs From a Small Municipality in Parana, Brazil

“…In dogs, the chance to contract the disease is exacerbated by its carnivorous behavior and its close contact with the soil (2) . Human toxoplasmosis is associated with socioeconomic and cultural characteristics (3) .…”

“…The first infection of pregnant women or an immunosuppression condition lead to important clinical manifestations in humans (3) . The disease in dogs can rarely present some clinical alteration, and death may occur in a few immunosuppressive conditions (2) .…”