Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara canis in a human rural population of Southern Rio Grande do Sul

Araújo, Adelita Campos; Villela, Marcos Marreiro; Sena-Lopes, Ângela; Farias, Nara Amélia da Rosa; Faria, Laura Maria Jorge de; Ávila, Luciana Farias da Costa de; Berne, Maria Elisabeth Aires; Borsuk, Sibele

doi:10.1590/s1678-9946201860028

Cited by 24 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Although the present study has shown no association between T. gondii infection and pet ownership, including stray cat owners, corroborating with previous studies in rural and other vulnerable populations of southern Brazil [27,31], only 6/120 (0.5%) homeless personsowned a total of 11 cats. Outdoor lifestyle of stray cats may include hunting of birds and rodents, leading to raw meat dietary habits and increased risk of T. gondii ingestion [47].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Although low education and socioeconomic status have been associated with increased risk of T. gondii infection in different Brazilian studies [28][29][30], no statistical association withT. gondii infection was previously found regarding educational background and income,probably due to the broadly variable classi cation of and the low population homogeneity [31,32]. Similarly, no association was found in either education or income, likely associated to the impact of the vulnerable living style, with mostly drug addicts with poor eating habits.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

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Serosurvey of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in homeless persons of São Paulo city, southeastern Brazil

Felipetto

Teider-Junior

Silva

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii has been extensively studied in a variety of vulnerable populations. However, no study has focused on homeless populations. Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies and the risk factors associated in homeless persons from homeless shelter of São Paulo city, southeastern Brazil. In addition, anti-HIV antibodies and associated risk of T. gondii and HIV coinfection have been evaluated.Methods: Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected by indirect fluorescent antibody test. In addition, anti-HIV levels were testedby chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay, with positive samples confirmed by rapid immunoblot assay.Results: Overall, IgG anti-T. gondii seropositivity was found in 43/120 (35.8%) homeless persons, with endpoint titers varying from 16 to 1,024. The only two pregnant womentested were negative for IgM by chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay, with normal parturition and clinically healthy newborns in both cases. There were no statistical differences in the risk factors for anti-T. gondii serology (p>0.05). Anti-HIV seropositivity was found in 2/120 (1.7%) homeless persons, confirmed as HIV-1. One HIV seropositive individual was also sero-reactive to IgG anti-T.gondii, and both were negative to IgM anti-T. gondii.Conclusions: This is the first study that reports the serosurvey of T. gondii in homeless persons worldwide. Despite the limited sample size available in the present study, our findings have shown that the prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in homeless persons herein was lower than the general population, probably due to homeless diet habit of eating mainly processed food intake. No statistical differences were found regarding risk factors for anti-T. gondii exposure in homeless persons.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Serosurvey of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in homeless persons of São Paulo city, southeastern Brazil

Felipetto

Teider-Junior

Silva

et al. 2020

Preprint

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show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…gondii infection in different Brazilian studies [57][58][59], no statistical association with T. gondii infection was previously found regarding educational background and income, probably due to the broadly variable classification of and the low population homogeneity [60,61]. Similarly, no association was found in either education or income, likely associated to the impact of the vulnerable living style, with mostly drug addicts with poor eating habits.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Serosurvey of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-HIV antibodies in homeless persons of southeastern Brazil

Lg¹,

Pi²,

FFVd³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: Homeless persons have been described as one of the most vulnerable populations worldwide, with higher morbidity and mortality of diseases associated with HIV occurrence. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and HIV has been extensively studied in other vulnerable populations, however, no study to date have focused on their concomitant seroprevalence in homeless persons. Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess the concomitant seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii and anti-HIV antibodies and associated risk factors in homeless persons in a daytime homeless shelter of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. Methods: Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected by indirect fluorescent antibody test and anti-HIV levels by chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay, with positive samples confirmed by rapid immunoblot assay. Results: Overall, IgG anti-T. gondii seropositivity was found in 43/120 (35.8%) homeless persons, with endpoint titers varying from 16 to 1,024. The only two pregnant women tested were negative for IgM by chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay, with normal parturition and clinically healthy newborns in both cases. There were no statistical differences in the risk factors for anti-T. gondii serology (p>0.05). Anti- HIV seropositivity was found in 2/120 (1.7%) homeless persons, confirmed as HIV-1. One HIV seropositive individual was also sero-reactive to IgG anti-T. gondii, and both were negative to IgM anti-T. gondii. One HIV positive person was also diagnosed with syphilis, tuberculosis and body lice presence, while the other never returned for assistance. No evaluation of anti- HIV risk factors has been made due to the low seropositive rate. Conclusions: The anti-T. gondii prevalence herein was lower than other Brazilian populations, likely related to predominant intake of processed food such as ready-to-eat and fast-food meals, and thus, low ingestion of fresh salad and raw meat. On the other hand, the anti- HIV seropositivity was higher than the average of the general Brazilian population, with 0.4%. Despite the low prevalence of anti-T. gondii in homeless persons, clinical manifestations may be aggravated in HIV positive individuals. To the author's knowledge, this is the first study of anti-T. gondii serosurvey in homeless persons concomitantly assessed with anti-HIV seropositivity.

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“…Studies from Latin American countries demonstrated significantly higher seropositivity rates [17], particularly in pregnant women. In Brazil, frequencies of anti-T. gondii antibodies in humans vary among different states and regions: northern region with 56.7% (131/231) in Amazonas [22], 65.8% (225/342) in Acre [23], northeastern region with 66.2% (1020/1540) in Rio Grande do Norte [24], central-western region with 97.4% (113/116) in Mato Grosso [25], southeastern region with 32.4% (110/339) [26] and 63.7% (618/970) [27] in São Paulo, and 36.0% (552/1532) in Minas Gerais [28], and southern region with 53.2% (183/344) in Rio Grande do Sul [29]. Studies performed at Paraná State have reported frequencies of 41.54% (248/597) in Londrina city [21], 73.57% (526/715) in Ivaiporã city [20], and 62.5% (50/80) among tissue donors from the state capital, Curitiba city [30] (S1 Table).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial serosurvey of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in individuals with animal hoarding disorder and their dogs in Southern Brazil

Cunha¹,

Pellizzaro²,

Martins³

et al. 2020

PLoS ONE

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Despite vulnerability and unsanitary conditions of animal hoarding may predispose environmental contamination and spread of vectors and pathogens, no study to date has focused on their impact on public health and zoonotic diseases. Accordingly, this study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and associated factors in individuals with animal hoarding disorder (AHD) and their dogs in Curitiba, Southern Brazil. Blood samples were obtained from 264 dogs (21 households) and 19 individuals with AHD (11 households). Their blood was tested by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Overall, anti-Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity was found in 21/264 dogs (7.95%; 95% CI: 4.69-11.22) with titers ranging from 16 to 4096, and in 7/19 individuals with AHD (36.84%; CI: 15.15-58.53) with titers ranging from 16 to 64. Serological analysis for anti-T. gondii antibodies were considered positive in at least one individual or dog in 9/11 (81.82%; 95% CI: 59.03-100.00) cases that were thoroughly assessed. Surprisingly, the seropositivity of individuals with AHD and their dogs was among the lowest reportedly observed in human and dog populations of Brazil. There was no significant association between positive owners and positive dogs or the presence of cats in the household. Regard epidemiological variables, a significant association was found between dog's seropositivity and the type of dog food. To the authors' knowledge, the present study represents the first investigation of T. gondii seroprevalence in individuals with hoarding disorder and their dogs. In conclusion, despite low sanitary conditions, anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies frequency in individuals with AHD and their dogs are lower than the general population likely due to low protozoan load in such isolated households.

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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara canis in a human rural population of Southern Rio Grande do Sul

Cited by 24 publications

References 27 publications

Serosurvey of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in homeless persons of São Paulo city, southeastern Brazil

Serosurvey of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in homeless persons of São Paulo city, southeastern Brazil

Serosurvey of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-HIV antibodies in homeless persons of southeastern Brazil

Spatial serosurvey of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in individuals with animal hoarding disorder and their dogs in Southern Brazil

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