Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction Toxoplasmosis is a life-threatening disease in pregnant women, having social and economic impacts due to congenital toxoplasmosis. However, in Ethiopia, it is neglected zoonotic disease, which requires screening and identifying risk factors in pregnant women to plan a public health intervention. Methods This institutional-based cross-sectional study was employed from March to April 2019 to estimate the seropositivity and assess potential risk factors for T. gondii among pregnant women attending antenatal care in four public hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia. Four hundred and one pregnant women were recruited to collect serum samples. Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were tested using Toxo-Latex slide agglutination test. Results Thus, the overall seropositivity for T. gondii was found 70.8% (95% CI: 66.3–75.5). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the average monthly income, occupational status, habits of handwashing practices after handling raw meat, water sources for drinking and agroclimatic situations revealed significant ( p < 0.05) effects on seropositivity for T. gondii in pregnant women. Conclusion This survey showed high seropositivity for T. gondii among pregnant women in Northwest Ethiopia. Therefore, further studies on bioassay, isolation and genotype of the pathogen are crucial. It also requires action to prevent and control the infection with T. gondii in pregnant women, which poses a potential threat to a foetus.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among Pregnant Women in Ardabil, Iran (2021-2022)

“…There was no significant difference in prevalence of T. gondii of participant based on age of mothers. This result was in accordance with other findings ( 2 , 33 , 34 ). In the studies of Bienkowski et al ( 1 ) and Nowakowska et al ( 4 ) the relationship between age and serological test results was direct and significant, that are in opposition with our results.…”

“…This could be due to the cold weather of the region. This infection is more common in hot humid areas ( 2 , 33 ). Another probable reason is that the study was conducted in the urban area.…”

Toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women attending antenatal care in a district hospital in Ghana

“…This is comparable to studies in Ethiopia where contact with soil was found as a risk factor [33,34]. The association of trading as a risk factor for testing seropositive was also reported in Ethiopia [35]. Farming remains an important risk factor as oocysts in the soil persist with infective potential for about 12-24 months [36] or farmers are likely to be exposed to undercooked meat, salad and fruits [37].…”

Neuroimmunology of Common Parasitic Infections in Africa

“…Consistent with this, lineages shared with other global geographical areas are present in Africa and unique African haplogroups ( 111 – 113 ). Studies of seroprevalence indicate that carriage of T. gondii is common in the African population ( 114 , 115 ), with recent reports indicating that seroprevalences vary broadly depending on region and age and range on average between 30-70% ( 116 – 121 ). The seroprevalence levels in humans go together with the reported prevalence in animals used for meat consumption ( 113 , 122 ).…”

“…Blood serologic tests are broadly used in Africa for general diagnostics (116)(117)(118)(119)(120). Further, detection of T. gondii DNA by PCR in the cerebrospinal fluid is of high diagnostic value for CNS manifestations (173).…”