Toxoplasmosis-Serological Evidence and Associated Risk Factors among Pregnant Women in Southern Thailand

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is an important parasite in pregnant women. This case-controlled study assessed the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in 640 pregnant women in southern Thailand and identified their associated risk factors. The overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was 181 (28.3%). Of this, 138 (21.6%) were positive for only anti-Toxoplasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody, 43 (6.7%) were positive for both IgG and IgM antibodies, and none were positive for IgM antibody. Multivariate analysis revealed that increasing age (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01–2.67), living outside Songkhla province (adjusted OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.08–2.24), parity (adjusted OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.01–2.68), contact with cats (adjusted OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.20–2.43), and drinking of unclean water (adjusted OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.08–2.68) were factors associated with Toxoplasma seroprevalence. On the basis of the results obtained, a health surveillance program should be initiated as a primary preventive measure for congenital toxoplasmosis and focus on educating women of the child-bearing age group to avoid contact with cats and to strictly practice personal hygiene.

Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women in Yemen: Factors associated with high seroprevalence

“…This finding is consistent with several previous reports [5,10,12,27]. In Yemen, women ≥ 25 years of age are more likely to be involved in agricultural activities, rearing of animals, and taking care of children, and therefore have a higher chance of being exposed to T. gondii, which may explain the higher seroprevalence within this age group in our study.…”

“…Pregnant women who had more than two children were more exposed to toxoplasmosis in this study. Similar findings have been reported in several studies [5,22,23]. However, multiparity, which increases the prevalence of toxoplasmosis, is still unknown [5].…”

“…Similar findings have been reported in several studies [5,22,23]. However, multiparity, which increases the prevalence of toxoplasmosis, is still unknown [5]. Not washing kitchen knives after cutting raw meat and not washing vegetables before eating were significantly associated with the seroprevalence of T. gondii in the bivariate analysis.…”

“…Primary infection with T. gondii in pregnant women may lead to the development of congenital toxoplasmosis [4][5][6]. Active infection may lead to severe complications in the fetus or newborn infant, including brain or eye damage at birth or death of the fetus and spontaneous abortion [6].…”

Seroprevalence, Seroconversion, and Risk Factors for Toxoplasmosis among Pregnant Women in Taipei, Taiwan

“…In developed countries, the reported seroprevalence was 17.3z in the United Kingdom (9), 31.7z in Upper Austria (10), 43.8z in France (11), 4z in South Korea (12), and 10.3z in Japan (13). In developing countries, 6.1z to 20.0z of pregnant women in Mexico had antiToxoplasma IgG antibodies (14), 49.5z in Brazil (15), 10.6z in Changchun, northern China (16), 28.3z in southern Thailand (17), and 75.2z in Sao Tome and Principe, West Africa (18).…”