The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between seropositivity for IgG and IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and socio-economic and environmental variables in pregnant women of Londrina, state of Paraná, Brazil. We interviewed 492 pregnant women, each of whom answered an epidemiological questionnaire, and collected blood samples for measurement of IgG and IgM anti-T. gondii antibodies by chemiluminescence. A confirmatory diagnosis of acute infection was made by an IgG avidity test. Titres of specific IgG anti-T. gondii were obtained by IFAT. Seropositivity for IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies was observed in 242 women (49.2%) and, of these, six pregnant women (1.2%) showed seropositivity for IgM. Age group, level of education, per capita income, presence of a cat in the house and a habit of eating green vegetables were all factors associated with a greater chance of infection with T. gondii. This study showed that 250 (50.8%) pregnant women were susceptible to T. gondii and considered to be at high risk for toxoplasmosis during pregnancy. Based on the results obtained, is critical to establish a program of health surveillance for toxoplasmosis, in order to contribute to diagnosis and early treatment during the prenatal period. It is also necessary to introduce measures to prevent the Toxoplasma infection in seronegative pregnant women.

Toxoplasmosis is caused by an intracellular protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii, which has a wide geographical distribution. The main infection routes are ingestion of cysts from raw or badly-cooked meat, ingestion of oocysts from substrates contaminated with the feces of infected felines and congenital transmission by tachyzoites. The congenital form results in a severe systemic disease, because if the mother is infected for the first time during gestation, she can present a temporary parasitemia that will infect the fetus. Many of the clinical symptoms are seen in congenitallyinfected children, from a mild disease to serious signs, such as mental retardation. Early diagnosis during the pregnancy is highly desirable, allowing prompt intervention in cases of infection, through treatment of pregnant women, reducing the probability of fetal infection and consequent substantial damage to the fetus. Conventional tests for establishment of a fetal diagnosis of toxoplasmosis include options from serology to PCR. Prevention of human toxoplasmosis is based on care to avoid infection, understanding the disease and serological exams during gestation. Pregnant women should be tested serologically from three months gestation, until one month after childbirth. Inclusion of serology for congenital toxoplasmosis along with the basic Guthrie test for PKU is of fundamental importance for early diagnosis of infection and so that treatment is initiated, in order to avoid possible sequels in the infant.

SUMMARYLeptospirosis, brucellosis and toxoplasmosis are widely-distributed zoonosis, being the man an accidental participant of their epidemiological chains. The aim of this paper was to make a seroepidemiological report and identify occupational and environmental variables related to these illnesses in 150 workers in a slaughterhouse in the Northern region of Paraná. For the diagnosis of leptospirosis a microscopical seroagglutination test was applied; for brucellosis, the tamponated acidified antigen test and the 2-mercaptoetanol tests were used, and for toxoplasmosis the indirect immunofluorescence reaction test. For each employee an epidemiological survey was filled, which investigated occupational and environmental variables which could be associated with these infections. Positive results for leptospirosis were found in 4.00% of the samples, for brucellosis in 0.66% of samples and toxoplasmosis in 70.00%. From the three diseases researched, only the results for leptospirosis suggest occupational infection.

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ResumoObjetivou-se determinar a prevalência da toxoplasmose em suínos abatidos em frigoríficos com inspeção sanitária do Estado do Paraná. Do total de 114 abatedouros foram selecionados aleatoriamente 13 com média diária de abate de 30 ou mais animais, de acordo com cada mesorregião paranaense. Coletou-se 424 amostras de sangue no período de outubro de 2002 a janeiro de 2003. Os soros foram submetidos à pesquisa de anticorpos anti-T. gondii (IgG) pela imunofluorescência indireta e 17 (4,00%) foram positivos, considerando títulos ≥ 64. De acordo com as categorias zootécnicas, seis das 29 matrizes avaliadas (20,69%) e 11 dos 395 animais de terminação (2,60%) foram positivos.Tal diferença foi estatisticamente significativa (p=0,0004) e pode estar relacionada ao maior tempo de exposição das matrizes aos fatores de risco associados à toxoplasmose. Comparando-se este estudo a outros previamente realizados no Estado do Paraná, observou-se uma tendência de decréscimo da prevalência da toxoplasmose no rebanho suíno, provavelmente devido às melhorias sanitárias adotadas nos últimos 15 anos. Palavras-chave: Toxoplasma gondii, suíno, prevalência, imunofluorescência AbstractThe aim of this study was to verify toxoplasmosis's prevalence in swine from slaughterhouses with inspection service in Paraná State. 13 of the 114 abattoirs were randomized in accordance with each State region and with the minimum daily abate of 30 animals. 424 swine blood samples were collected from October 2002 to January 2003. The Indirect Immunofluorescence Test (IFAT) was realized to detect Toxoplasma gondii antibodies (IgG) and 17 (4,00%) were positive, considering titers ≥ 64. According to the animals categories, six from 29 sows (20,69%) and 11 from 395 finisher pigs (2,60%) were positives. This difference was significant (p=0,0004) and could be related with the sow's period of exposition to toxoplasmosis risk factors. Comparing this research to previous ones in Paraná State, we could see a tendency of decrease in the toxoplasmosis prevalence in pig farms, maybe related to the swine industry improvements in the last 15 years.