Anti-Toxoplasma Antibody Prevalence, Primary Infection Rate, and Risk Factors in a Study of Toxoplasmosis in 4,466 Pregnant Women in Japan

Abstract

bToxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by infection with Toxoplasma gondii and is prevalent worldwide under various climatic conditions. It is usually asymptomatic, but infection in pregnant women can pose serious health problems for the fetus. However, epidemiological information regarding toxoplasmosis in Japanese pregnant women is limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies, the primary infection rate, and the risk factors for toxoplasmosis in Japanese pregnant women. We measured anti-Toxoplasma antibody titers in 4,466 pregnant women over a period of 7.5 years and simultaneously conducted interviews to identify the risk factors for toxoplasmosis. The overall prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies was 10.3%, and it was significantly higher in women aged above 35 years. The rate of primary Toxoplasma infection during pregnancy was estimated to be 0.25%. A possibility of infection in the later stages of pregnancy was identified for those women who were not infected in the early stages. A history of raw meat intake was identified to be a risk factor related to toxoplasmosis. Therefore, to lower the risk of toxoplasmosis, pregnant women should refrain from eating raw and undercooked meat and maintain personal hygiene.

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

“…Our results indicated that the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in Taipei was much lower than that reported among aboriginal pregnant women (40.6z) and immigrant pregnant women (18.2z) in Central Taiwan (22), but was similar to that reported in a previous study on Taiwanese pregnant women in Taipei (9.1z) (19), and in Central Taiwan (11.8z) (23). Compared with neighboring countries, the overall seroprevalence in the present study was similar to that reported in Japan (10.3z) (13), and in Changchun, northern China Toxoplasma in Pregnant Women in Taipei City (10.6z) (16); however, the overall seroprevalence in the present study was higher than that reported in South Korea (4z) (12). The difference in seroprevalence among pregnant women in different districts may be attributable to the habits of aboriginal Taiwanese populations of consuming raw liver or other meat products from pigs and rats, as well as to their low economic status, leading to increased risks of infection with toxoplasmosis (22,24,25); however, immigrant pregnant women may be susceptible to toxoplasmosis because of poor hygiene habits associated with their low socioeconomic status, resulting in a high seroprevalence (22).…”

“…Toxoplasmosis among pregnant women is a major concern in both developed and developing countries. 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).…”

Chronic toxoplasmosis and possible risk factors associated with pregnant women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

“…Sero-prevalence of toxoplasmosis was reported high in higher age groups 35À45 years (48.8%) from Japan. [17] Rosso et al from Colombia 30À39 years (55.3%) [15] and Ertug et al from Turkey 30À40 years (51.1%). [1] A total of 733 pregnant women participated in this study.…”

Sero-prevalence and risk factors associated with toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women in Alexandria, Egypt

“…23 Sakikawa et al, in Japan using latex agglutination; the overall prevalence was (10.3%). 24 Flatt et al, in London sero-prevalence was (17.32%). 25 Aqeely et al, studied the seroepidemiology in Jazan province, Saudi Arabia using ELISA technique.…”