Seroprevalence for toxoplasmosis in individuals living in North West Tuscany: access to Toxo-test in central Italy

Abstract

This survey aimed to estimate the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies in people living in north west Tuscany (central Italy) and to investigate the adherence to antenatal screening programs and access to the Toxo-test as well. Sera from a large sample of individuals suspected to have acute infection or from pregnant women (10,352 subjects) aged between 1 day and over 70 years were analysed for both IgG and IgM anti-Toxoplasma antibodies using an immunoenzymatic method or a chemo-luminescent immunoassay. Overall, the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies was 21.4% (95% CI 20.62-22.20). A positive trend according to age was found, with low positivity observed in younger age groups. Among women of reproductive age the prevalence of IgG antibodies was 19.4% (95% CI 18.64-20.26). The overall IgM seroprevalence was 1.07% (95% CI 0.87-1.27). A low IgM prevalence was also observed in women of reproductive age (0.8%; 95% CI 0.65-1.03). Our study seems to indicate that primary prevention is widespread among women. However, an epidemiological surveillance system for toxoplasmosis should be implemented, to assess the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis and to determine the true burden of disease in adults.

Toxoplasmosis in Pregnancy in an Area With Low Seroprevalence

“…Similar to data previously reported in Western countries, 8,10,11 the overall Tg seroprevalence in pregnant women was 22.3%. Similar to data previously reported in Western countries, 8,10,11 the overall Tg seroprevalence in pregnant women was 22.3%.…”

“…nevertheless, 48.5% italian women in childbearing age were found to be seropositive for Tg in 1995, 6 34.4 % in 2003 7 and 19.4% in 2010. 8 However, the current rates of Tg infection during pregnancy and congenital disease have not been clearly updated.…”

Toxoplasma gondii in women of childbearing age and during pregnancy: seroprevalence study in Central and Southern Italy from 2013 to 2017

“…In this study, the prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in women of childbearing age from both the Tuscany and Apulia regions is consistent with the declining trend observed in recent decades in other regions in Italy [18,20], as well as in other European countries [2,9,13] and the United States [14]. In Italy, T. gondii prevalence in women of childbearing age was 41.1% in the late 1980's [6], and a trend toward a decrease has become evident since 2001 [20]. This decline in prevalence is correlated to declining incidence, due to lower exposure to the parasite by changes in nutritional habits and by improved hygiene practices in meat production [19].…”

“…Samples were stratified by age groups (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35), and 36-45 years old) and prevalence rates were calculated along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Statistical analysis was performed by use of Yates' corrected chi-square test and chi-square test for trends to compare prevalence rates among different groups and areas.…”

“…Consequently, no accurate estimates of the impact of toxoplasmosis on the population are available, and epidemiological information on the prevalence of T. gondii infection is incomplete, area-based, and mostly focused on pregnant women [3-5, 7, 8, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30]. Epidemiological data on T. gondii seroprevalence in women of childbearing age are even more scant [6,11,18,20].…”