The prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the Pontal of the Triângulo Mineiro region, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite of worldwide distribution with different infective forms: tachyzoites, bradyzoites and oocysts. Toxoplasmosis is a common zoonosis in vertebrates and its definitive hosts are the felines. It features high seroprevalence, is asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals and detected by IgM and IgG against antigens of the parasite. The aim of this work was to investigate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the region of the Pontal of Triangulo Mineiro, in Minas Gerais State, in 1,532 patients seen in a clinical laboratory of the
region from August 2007 to April 2010, considering: IgM and IgG anti-T.gondii. Information about gender and age were obtained through retrospective review of the clinical tests of these patients. The serological tests performed were passive hemagglutination and indirect immunofluorescence. There was no detection of IgM anti-T. gondii, however, seropositivity of IgG anti-T. gondii was found in 36% of the subjects, which may indicate that the patients were in the chronic phase of the disease. In this study, it was observed that the prevalence was higher in individuals aged 16 to 45 years, mostly with IgG titers of 1:256. Given the results, it is suggested the implementation of preventive measures, in the region of Pontal of Triângulo Mineiro.