Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in women of childbearing age

Abstract

Objectives: Determine the risk factors involved in toxoplasmosis transmission and determine whether pregnancy is a risk factor for toxoplasmosis infection. Study design: Cross-sectional study carried out on 2,242 women at childbearing age. An indirect immunofluorescence reaction was used to identify immunity to Toxoplasma gondii. Previous gestations were also analyzed as a possible risk factor. The results were analyzed by χ χ χ χ χ² and OR tests, and by variance analysis. The sample was statistically balanced according to social-economic risk factors. Results: Previously pregnant women were 1.74 times more frequently infected with toxoplasmosis, regardless of environmental conditions. Pregnant women living under unfavorable environmental conditions had an approximately two times increased risk of being infected for each risk factor (contact with host animals, presence of vehicles of oocyst transmission). Previous pregnancy was the risk factor that had the strongest influence on acquiring toxoplasmosis (variance analysis and statistical balancing). Discussion: The prevalence of this zoonosis is high in Goiânia-GO, Brazil (65.8%). Inadequate environmental sanitation was not significantly correlated with toxoplasmosis infection, except when associated with previous pregnancy, showing that the fundamental cause for infection is not environmental. Conclusion: The finding that pregnancy makes women more vulnerable to this protozoan, makes it important to implement prophylactic control of at-risk pregnant women.

Factors associated to infection by Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women attended in Basic Health Units in the city of Rolândia, Paraná, Brazil

“…Women who had been pregnant more than once presented a greater chance of infection by T. gondii (p = 0.0116). This result was similar to that observed by MITSUKA-BREGANÓ (2009) 41 6 , in Goiânia, Goiás, carried out a cohort study with women at fertile age and observed that the women previously pregnant were 1.7 times more likely of acquiring the infection than those who had never been pregnant before. It can be explained by the capacity of the mother´s immune response and the gestational period in which the woman is, and the virulence of the parasite strain 20 .…”

“…Contact with cats was also not associated to the chance of infection by T. gondii as reported in the studies by NASH et al (2005) 45 6 obtained an association to the presence of cats. In relation to living with cats, the possibility of parasite transmission by the act of touching is minimal or nonexistent.…”

Epidemiological and Molecular Analysis of Toxoplasma Gondii in Faecal Samples of Cats Obtained From House of Maternal in Bali

“…Similar research in Brazil revealed that pregnant women with low level of income and education have higher risk to be infected by toxoplasmosis. 13 The same fact also reported by Avelino et al (2004) 14 that pregnant women in west area of Brazil with low level of education and income, had higher risk of toxoplasmosis infection. Lower level of education correlates with the level of knowledge and less healthy behavior.…”

Prevalência de toxoplasmose em gestantes atendidas em dois centros de referência em uma cidade do Nordeste, Brasil

“…Devido a alterações imunológicas e hormonais que ocorrem durante a gestação, as gestantes podem ficar mais vulneráveis ao parasita, assim, a gravidez pode ser considerada um fator de risco para a toxoplasmose 33 . Foi identificada uma associação entre o convívio com cães que ficam soltos na rua e a infecção por T. gondii, em vez de gatos, que apesar de ser surpreendente, achados semelhantes foram encontrados em Fortaleza, Ceará 15 .…”

“…Foi identificada uma associação entre o convívio com cães que ficam soltos na rua e a infecção por T. gondii, em vez de gatos, que apesar de ser surpreendente, achados semelhantes foram encontrados em Fortaleza, Ceará 15 . Os gatos podem disseminar oocistos no ambiente, enquanto os cães podem atuar como vetores mecânicos auxiliando na transmissão das formas infectantes do T. gondii aderidas em seu pelo 33,34 . Em outros estudos 13,19 o contato com gatos não teve associação significativa com a infecção pelo T. gondii.…”