Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women from the State of Tocantins, Northern Brazil

Abstract

Introduction:The prevalence of infection by Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in pregnant women in Tocantins, Northern Brazil were assessed. Methods: Serological analysis was performed in 338 serum samples and an oral questionnaire was utilized to identify potential risk factors. Results: Anti-IgG antibodies against T. gondii were detected in 71% (240/338) of the pregnant women. Prior contact with cats and meat handling were found to be associated with T. gondii infection. Conclusions: A considerable percentage (29%) of women living in the Tocantins area remain susceptible to infection by the T. gondii protozoon, representing a serious public health risk.

Epidemiological factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in postpartum women treated in the public healthcare system of Goiânia, State of Goiás, Brazil

“…The results of this study are in agreement with those reported in Ireland 34 and Recife 35 , where this association was also not significant. However, they differ from findings reported in Goiânia 11 , Tocantins 14 and in the region of the Upper Uruguay River 23 , where a significant association (p<0.05) was found between living with cats, and seropositivity in pregnant women.…”

“…The consumption of these foods at least once a month increased the risk of T. gondii infection three-fold 41 . In a study conducted in the state of Tocantins, Brazil, involving 338 pregnant women, handling meat was found to be associated with T. gondii infection 14 .…”

“…Habits, behaviors, characteristics, and procedures that cause this contamination are considered risk factors 13,14 . However, the relationship between human and parasite may remain harmless if appropriate prophylactic measures are taken.…”

Soroprevalência e fatores de risco para toxoplasmose em gestantes na região metropolitana de Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil

“…A prevalência encontrada em Caixas do Sul foi de 31.1 % (Figueiró-Filho et al, 2007), em Mato Grosso do Sul 96.1% (Wilson et al, 1997), em Sergipe 69.3% e em sua capital 77.8% (Bittencourt et al, 2012) e em Goiás foi encontrado 68.1% (Inagaki et al, 2009). O conhecimento sobre a prevalência da infecção congênita e os fatores que favorecem essa infecção são importantes para o desenvolvimento de medidas e campanhas de prevenções (Barbara et al, 2009;Avelar et al, 2016;Rocha et al, 2015).…”

Os Processos de endoreduplicação e invasão de células trofoblásticas extravilosas humanas (linhagem HTR-8/SVneo) são influenciados pela presença do antígeno solúvel de Toxoplasma gondii

“…Estes dados mostram a importância de se estudar toxoplasmose congênita, visto que é um grave problema de saúde pública no Brasil. No estado de Tocantins, um estudo demonstrou que 71% das gestantes avaliadas eram positivas para toxoplasmose em exames sorológicos(ROCHA et al;. Trabalhos realizados no estado de Minas Gerais associaram a alta prevalência de toxoplasmose congênita à condições socioeconômicas precárias, em que o número de recém-nascidos com toxoplasmose pode atingir uma prevalência de 76 a 79 a cada 1000 neo-natos(CARRELOS et al, 2014a(CARRELOS et al, , 2014b.…”