Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

Abstract

SUMMARYA serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection in population groups in Fortaleza, Brazil, was conducted, in order to identify seroprevalence rates according to age and risk factors associated with acquired infection. A Toxoplasma IgG-antibody enzyme immunoassay (Sanofi Pasteur Diagnostics, Marnes la Coquette, France) was employed to assess the immunity. Public day-care centers and schools were randomly selected, while three large antenatal clinics and maternity units were choosen by its importance. Population groups and results of 997 blood tests were: 227 children (mean age 3.8 years), 22.8% seropositives; 584 students (mean 11.4 years), 58.4%, and pregnant and postpartum women (mean 24 years), 71.5% seropositives (p < 0.001). Of 256 participants reporting close contact with cats, 59.8% were seropositive, in contrast with 51% seropositives without contact (relative risk 1.17; 95% confidence interval 1.04-1.33; p = 0.01). Having three or more siblings at home was related to higher seroprevalence in children and students (relative risk 1.39; 95% confidence interval 1.21-1.60; p < 0.01). In conclusion, toxoplasmosis seroprevalence showed a rapid increase during the first ten years of life, in association with close contact with cats and larger households, probably related to inappropriate hygiene and child-care practices.

Non-association between anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and ABO blood group system

“…These observations agree with previous studies that indicate a percentage of IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies in the Brazilian population (20,(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30).…”

Seropositivity rates for toxoplasmosis, rubella, syphilis, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis and HIV among pregnant women receiving care at a public health service, São Paulo state, Brazil

“…6 In the present study more than 60% of the pregnant women tested positive for IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies, which is in agreement with other studies carried out in Brazil reporting seropositivity rates ranging from 22.8% to 71.5%. [7][8][9][10][11][12] Two recent studies performed in the northwest region of São Paulo State found rates similar to those reported in the current study. 5,13 Pregnant women at risk of congenital transmission of toxoplasmosis were younger than those without risk.…”

Postnatal acquired toxoplasmosis patients in an infectious diseases reference center

“…In Brazil, several descriptive studies show different serologic seroprevalences: in the mid-west and north, 54 and 75% respectively [9]; 80.4% in an indigenous group in the state of Mato Grosso [10] and from 66 to 75% in rural populations in the south (state of Paraná) [11]; from 77.5 to 58.9% soroprevalence among pregnant women in an urban region of São Paulo [12]; from 23 to 84% in Campos dos Goytacazes (northern Rio de Janeiro State, in the Brazilian southeast) [13] and 68.4% among primary school students in the city of Rio de Janeiro [14]. A progressive rise in seropositivity with age has been seen in children, adolescents and pregnant women in Fortaleza (northeast Brazil), ranging from 22.8 to 71.5% [15]; also in the Northeast, in the city of Recife, a seroprevalence of 79% for men and 63.4% for women was found among blood donors [16]. The increase in incidence of toxoplasmosis has shown to be proportional to age, with an estimated rate of serological conversion of 10% among 0-5 year-olds, 1% among 6-20 year-olds, and 0.3% for people above 20 years old [3].…”