Serosurvey of anti-Toxocara antibodies and risk factors in adolescent and adult pregnant women of southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Toxocariasis is worldwide endemic parasitic anthropozoonosis with high risk to those in in vulnerable populations and particularly during pregnancy and childhood. Although the prevalence of anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies has been extensively studied, risk factors of pregnant women of different ages remains to be established. This study was designed to i) assess the presence of anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies in pregnant women that presented to the public health system in a city of southeastern Brazil, and ii) determine the risk factors for toxocariasis in adolescent and adult pregnant women. This cross-sectional study included 280 pregnant women (71 aged up to and including 17 years [adolescents] and 209 aged 18 years and older [adults]). Pregnant women voluntarily agreed to complete a socioeconomic questionnaire and provide serum samples. Anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies were screened by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were performed to assess the risks for toxocariasis. Overall, 20.7% of pregnant women were seropositive (33.8% of adolescents and 16.3% of adults). Prevalence in pregnant adolescents was 2.6-fold higher than in adults (Odds ration [OR]: 2.63; 95% CI: 1.42–4.86, p = 0.003). Multivariate analysis revealed that contact with soil (p = 0.01; OR = 4.76) and being in the first trimester of pregnancy (p = 0.03; OR = 0.17) had significantly greater risk of toxocariasis for adolescents, and attainment of elementary through middle school education level (p = 0.05; OR = 8.33) was a risk factor in adult pregnant women. Toxocariasis is likely underreported and neglected in adolescent pregnant women; this age group should always be monitored for toxocariasis and correspondent clinical signs, particularly at late pregnancy.

Serosurvey of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. co-infection in pregnant women in low-income areas of Brazil

“…seropositivity has also been related to antibody persistence following exposure ( 53 ), no association between age and seropositivity was observed herein. This outcome differs from a previous study in the same area, in which adolescents were 2.6-fold more likely to be seropositive for toxocariasis than adult pregnant women ( 37 ), showing soil contact as an associated risk factor for toxocariasis among pregnant adolescents, but not for pregnant adults.…”

“…The 20.0% (56/280) seropositivity to toxocariasis herein was higher than the 6.4% found in southern Brazil ( 33 ) and the 7.2% observed in central-western Brazil ( 7 ), both in pregnant women assisted by the Public Health System (SUS), but similar to the 20.7% observed in a different group of pregnant women in Presidente Prudente ( 37 ), the municipality of the present study. Although all these low-income populations were assisted by SUS and presented disadvantaged socioeconomic characteristics, differences in seroprevalence may reflect local infrastructure, habits, and hygiene.…”

“…In addition, owning cats increased the odds (OR: 2.3) of toxocariasis seropositivity herein, while no influence had previously been reported in that area ( 37 ). Despite the pregnant population of both studies being similar, the divergent outcome between studies may have been influenced by the higher number of pregnant women who declared their ownership of cats herein (n = 50) and previously (n = 38), which may have made it difficult to find statistically significant differences due to the low number of positive individuals.…”

Dog and Cat Contact as Risk Factor for Human Toxocariasis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…( 68 ). Reduction of cross-reactivity in the Toxocara ELISA test has been obtained by preincubation with extract of adult Ascaris suum , removing antibodies elicited by exposure to Ascaris ( 10 , 69 ). In addition, cross-reaction has been also reported between Toxocara spp.…”

Serosurvey of anti-Toxocara canis antibodies in people experiencing homelessness and shelter workers from São Paulo, Brazil

“…In Brazil, the seroprevalence of toxocariasis has been widely reported, ranging from 4.2% [ 26 ] to 63.6% [ 27 ] in children, and from 8.7% [ 28 ] to 71.8% [ 29 ] in adult populations. Recently, 58/280 (20.7%) pregnant women [ 30 ] and 212/328 (64.6%) inhabitants of a Brazilian traditional seashore population were seropositive for anti- Toxocara antibodies [ 31 ].…”