Prevalence and predictors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women from Dhamar, Yemen

Abstract

BackgroundToxoplasmosis is a common and serious parasitic infection caused by the ubiquitous obligatory intracellular protozoan organism, Toxoplasma gondii. Although infection with T. gondii is usually asymptomatic in healthy individuals, it can lead to severe pathological effects in congenital cases and immunocompromised patients. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii and its predictors among pregnant women seeking prenatal and medical care at the general maternal and child health facility in Dhamar district of Dhamar governorate, Yemen.MethodsA total of 420 pregnant women were randomly selected for this cross-sectional study. Participants were screened for anti-T. gondii antibodies (i.e. immunoglobulin M; IgM and immunoglobulin G; IgG) using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Demographic, socioeconomic, obstetric and behavioural data were collected using a pretested questionnaire via face-to-face interview. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the independent predictors of T. gondii seroprevalence.ResultsThe overall seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies (IgG and/or IgM) among the participants was 21.2% (89/420; 95% CI = 17.3–25.1). Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were detected in 20.0% (84/420) of the women of which 12.9% (54/420) were positive for only IgG and 7.1% (30/420) were positive for both IgG and IgM antibodies. Moreover, 5 women (1.2%) were reactive only for IgM antibodies. Significant associations between T. gondii seroprevalence and history of spontaneous abortion (P < 0.001), raw vegetables consumption (P = 0.036), and presence of cats in household (P = 0.049) were reported. Multivariate analysis confirmed that history of spontaneous abortion (AOR = 4.04; 95% CI = [2.46, 6.63]) and presence of cats in household (AOR = 1.77; 95% CI = [1.02, 3.07]) are significant predictors of T. gondii seroprevalence among the studied participants.ConclusionThe study found a high seroprevalence (21.2%) of T. gondii infection during pregnancy in Dhamar district, which is significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The provision of adequate maternal healthcare and health education pertaining to the prevention of T. gondii infection is therefore imperative to curtail the prevalence of infection among the studied population.

Acute Toxoplasmosis During Pregnancy: A Hard Call

“…Maternal serology may sometimes be confusing. When rheumatoid factor or antinuclear antibody is positive in the blood, serological tests may be falsely positive (17,18). However serological investigation is mandatory (19).…”

Prevalence of Toxoplasmosis antibodies in blood donors in Tripoli area

“…Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by an intracellular parasite called Toxoplasma gondii (1), which was first reported in 1908 by Nicolle and Manceaux in a North African rodent, gundi (Ctenodactylus gundi), in Tunisia (2). The parasite has two steps life cycle.…”

“…As a result, the human can be infected and considered the intermediate host of the obligate intracellular parasite (T. gondii). However, cats are the definitive host to Toxoplasma gondii, and counted as the primary human infection source (1). The primary infection is mostly asymptomatic in pregnant women (5) and can cause abortion to pregnant women or animals (6).…”

Seroprevalence of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in Pregnant Women Admitted to a State Hospital in Mersin, 2019

“…TARTIŞMABazı çevresel, davranışsal, sosyo-demografik ve obstetrik faktörler, T. gondii enfeksiyonunun önemli prediktörleri olarak öne sürülmüştür. Coğrafi konum, T. gondii ookistlerini içeren kedi dışkısı ile kontamine olmuş yiyeceklerin tüketilmesi veya suların içilmesi, az pişmiş et tüketimi, evde kedilerin varlığı, kirli toprağa maruz kalma (çıplak elle çiftçilik veya bahçecilik yoluyla), kendiliğinden düşük öyküsü ve daha geç yaşta gebe kalma gibi faktörler örnek olarak verilebilir(11). Dünyadaki Toxoplasmosis seroprevalansı %12-90 arasında değişkenlik göstermektedir(12).…”

“…Dünyadaki Toxoplasmosis seroprevalansı %12-90 arasında değişkenlik göstermektedir(12). Yemen'de gebe kadınlarda anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalansı %12,9, anti-T. gondii IgM seroprevalansı ise %1,2 olarak rapor edilmiştir(11). Kuzeydoğu Çin'de Mançu etnik kökenli gebe kadınlarda, anti-T. gondii IgG %15,02, anti-T. gondii IgM %2,56 olarak tespit edilmiştir(9).…”