Serological prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in pregnant women from Southern Brazil

Abstract

During 15 months (01 April 2003-31 July 2004), 20,389 women showing positive pregnancy tests were included in a serological evaluation of toxoplasmosis prevalence using automated immunoenzymatic assays. The women's serum samples were tested for the presence of IgG and/or IgM antibodies. Overall, 53.03% of the women were positive for IgG and 3.26% were positive for IgM; the analysis used a chi-square adherence test and a significance level of 0.05 (chi(2)=14,720.35; p=0.00). To discriminate between recent and past infection, IgG avidity tests (n=166) were carried out, of which 28.3% (n=47) presented low avidity. The seroconversion index observed in this study was 0.44%. The seroprevalence results obtained were similar to other serology data found in other regions of Brazil. These data demonstrate the importance of continuous regional and national seroepidemiological inquiries to define public health strategies that can revert and reduce serological prevalence, as described in other countries where toxoplasmosis monitoring is mandatory.

Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis, toxocariasis and cysticercosis in a rural settlement, São Paulo State, Brazil

“…Although IgM seroprevalence is scarce in the population as a whole, this rate is one of the highest found in Brazil and elsewhere, even among pregnant women at risk of acute toxoplasmosis infection. 28,29 The mechanism behind this result is difficult to establish as no risk factors associated with IgM infection were found. IgM antibodies are frequently the first class of antibodies detected after primary infection.…”

“…In pregnant women, a negative serological sample requires frequent investigation throughout the gestation due to the risk of the mother becoming infected and MTCT. 28,29 In addition to helmintic infections, elevated IgE serum levels were found in many protozoal infections, however, their role in the immune response remains unclear. In this study, a relationship between T. gondii IgG seropositivity and IgE antibodies was found and the data were not associated with intestinal parasites since helminthes infection was not diagnosed.…”

“…Toxoplasma gondii is considered one of the most important causes of blindness and visual impairment throughout Brazil. [27][28][29][30] Infection with one agent could also be associated with an increased risk of infection with the other. 26,27 In our study, 14.4% of individuals showed concomitant Toxocara spp./T.…”

Toxoplasma gondii in goats from Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil: risks factors and epidemiology

“…This species should not be overlooked as a source of infection, especially for pregnant women. Vaz et al (2010) showed that the group at risk of infection is around 46.07% and the seroconversion rate was 0.16%. To minimize the risks of prenatal infection and consequently fetal sequelae, pregnant women should be educated about the risks of drinking milk or eating raw or undercooked meat of this species and other animals.…”

Comparison of PCR and Serologic Survey for Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis in Sheep

“…Toxoplasmosis is one of the most important infectious and zoonotic diseases worldwide, caused by an obligatory intracellular protozoan parasite; Toxoplasma gondii which can infect humans and almost all warm-blooded animals (Vaz et al, 2010). The parasite distributed on regions and weather condition of the environment where oocysts survive and is responsible for major economic losses in humans and most classes of livestock including sheep through abortions, still birth and neonatal losses.…”