Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Infection in Pregnant Women from Western Romania

Olariu, Tudor Rareș; Ursoniu, Sorin; Hotea, I.; Dumitraşcu, Victor; Anastasiu, Doru; Lupu, Maria Alina

doi:10.1089/vbz.2019.2599

Cited by 18 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The seroprevalence was higher than that reported by other European investigators: 24.1% in Northern Kosovo and Metohija [22], 22.3% in Italy [5], 22% in Portugal [7], and 29.1% in Croatia [25]. The differences in seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies between countries can be explained by different nutritional habits, as well as sociodemographic and cultural factors [17,19]. However, seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in our study was lower than the 57.6% reported in women of childbearing age from Timis county, Romania, one of the neighbouring counties [15].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among women of childbearing age in an endemic region of Romania, 2016–2018

et al. 2020

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Toxoplasmosis is an important worldwide zoonosis caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. This parasitic infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent people. However, if the infection occurs in pregnant women, it can have serious consequences for the foetus. In this study, we evaluated the seroprevalence of T. gondii in women of childbearing age in Arad County, Western Romania. Serum samples from 2626 women were analysed using a Siemens ADVIA Centaur XP Immunoassay System. Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies were demonstrated in 1081 women (41%) and prevalence tended to increase with age, from 32% in women aged 15–19 years to 62% in women aged 40–45 years. There was a higher prevalence in rural areas (46%) than in urban areas (36%). This study provides new data on T. gondii seroprevalence in women of childbearing age from Western Romania.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

“…As previously reported by other authors, seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in our study showed an age-related increase, with lower rates found in younger women. This type of association probably occurred due to longer exposure to the risk factors associated with T. gondii infection [19,21].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among women of childbearing age in an endemic region of Romania, 2016–2018

et al. 2020

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“…This could be explained by the fact that Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria share the same culinary habits, cultural habits, and climatic conditions. However, the results of other surveys show a lower and higher prevalence in different areas in Africa, in Europe, and in Asia: 27% in Sudan [17], 35.6% in Ethiopia [18], 44% in Tanzania [19], 47% in Benin [20], 13.8% in Italy [21], 31.5% in Austria [22], 55.8% in Romania [23], 31% in Turkey [24], 33% in Iran [25], 34.5% in Pakistan [26], 82.6% in Lebanon [27], and 35.8% in Peru [28]. This variation in the rate of T. gondii infection between countries and regions could be attributed to dietary habits, health standards, lack of awareness of disease transmission, and the socioeconomic level.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence among pregnant women in Rabat, Morocco

Laboudi

Taghy²,

Duieb³

et al. 2021

Trop Med Health

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Background Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by a protozoan parasite named Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii). Pregnant women are considered one of the risk groups. The objective of this retrospective study is to provide an updated estimate of the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies among a group of Moroccan pregnant women monitored at the Parasitology Laboratory of the National Institute of Hygiene in Rabat in Morocco. Methods Serum samples were tested for the presence of specific anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anti-Toxoplasma IgM- and IgG-positive cases were also evaluated with the anti-Toxoplasma IgG avidity test. All cases were evaluated according to the age, parity, and historical of abortion. Results Among 677 pregnant women, 94.1% (637/677) were serologically screened for the first time and therefore had no knowledge of their serological status, and only 5.9% (40/677) were screened for the second or third time. The overall anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM seropositivity among the 637 pregnant women included in the study analysis was 43% (274/637) and 3.9% (25/637), respectively. The use of the IgG avidity test allowed excluding recent infection among 83% of cases with IgG and IgM positive sera. The mean age was 29.4 ± 6.3 years. The result of the bivariate analysis revealed that the age influenced significantly the seroprevalence rate, while the parity and the existence of previous spontaneous abortion did not have any significant statistical correlation with seropositivity to T. gondii. Conclusion This study shows that 43% of pregnant women were positive and 57% of them had no antibody against the T. gondii infection. However, the pregnancy follow-up and the counseling of pregnant women remain essential for the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis.

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“…Educational level has previously been shown as an important risk factor for the occurrence of T. gondii infection in pregnant women from Western Romania [ 16 ]. In the present study, seropositivity for T. gondii decreased with increasing level of education, similar to other reports [ 8 , 10 , 13 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous reports from Western Romania showed a 55.8% prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in pregnant women [ 16 ], 57.6% among women of childbearing age [ 17 ] and 64.8% in the adult population [ 18 ]. There is no information regarding the magnitude of infection with T. gondii in Romanian blood donors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Blood Donors from Western Romania

et al. 2022

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Background: Toxoplasma gondii is estimated to infect 33% of blood donors worldwide, and seroprevalence varies widely between countries. We aimed to evaluate, for the first time, the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii in blood donors from Western Romania. Methods: Serologic testing to demonstrate the presence of T. gondii antibodies was conducted in 1347 healthy blood donors. Risk factors for T. gondii infection were assessed through an epidemiological questionnaire. Results: The overall prevalence of T. gondii antibodies was 45.9%, with a significant age-associated increase (p < 0.001) from 32.6% in age group 18–25 years to 67.6% in age group 56–63 years. T. gondii seroprevalence decreased with increasing level of education, from 64.3% in individuals who graduated from elementary/middle school to 40.4% in those who graduated from University (p < 0.001). The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age, level of education and having pets (cats and/or dogs) were significantly associated with T. gondii infection. Conclusions: This study brings new and valuable data regarding the seroepidemiology of T. gondii infection in Romania. Our findings indicate a high prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in blood donors and may serve as a starting point for further epidemiological studies that should lead to implementation of prevention programs for toxoplasmosis.

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Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Pregnant Women from Western Romania

Cited by 18 publications

References 25 publications

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among women of childbearing age in an endemic region of Romania, 2016–2018

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among women of childbearing age in an endemic region of Romania, 2016–2018

Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence among pregnant women in Rabat, Morocco

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Blood Donors from Western Romania

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