SEROPREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS FOR HUMAN TOXOPLASMOSIS IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

Authors

  • Debora de Almeida Aloise
  • Wendel Coura-Vital
  • Mariangela Carneiro
  • Marlus Venâncio Rodrigues
  • Gislani Acásia da Silva Toscano
  • Ramiza Bernardino da Silva
  • Valter Ferreira de Andrade Neto
  • Ricardo Wagner Almeida Vitor

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5216/rpt.v46i4.51013

Keywords:

Toxoplasma gondii, toxoplasmosis, seroepidemiology, transmission, Rio Grande do Norte.

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most prevalent parasitic infections in humans, causing severe clinical complications in immunocompromised patients or in foetuses. Estimates on the toxoplasmosis seroprevalence in human populations vary widely, even within the same region. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in the municipality of Santa Cruz, State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, and identify the risk factors for toxoplasmosis. T. gondii IgG antibodies were measured in 66.2% of the studied population. The factors associated
with infection were as follows: age above 45 years (OR = 7.4; 95% CI = 3.7-14.8); illiteracy (OR = 2.8; 95% CI = 1.6-5.0); the presence of more than three cats in the home (OR 2.0; 95% CI = 1.2-3.5); no water tank (OR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.4-3.1); and consumption of raw or unpasteurized milk (OR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.3-3.0). The risk factors identified were predominantly related to the ingestion of oocysts. This study may contribute to public health knowledge of toxoplasmosis and
the definition of control programs, particularly for pregnant women from regions similar to the area studied.

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Published

2018-01-08

How to Cite

DE ALMEIDA ALOISE, D.; COURA-VITAL, W.; CARNEIRO, M.; VENÂNCIO RODRIGUES, M.; ACÁSIA DA SILVA TOSCANO, G.; BERNARDINO DA SILVA, R.; FERREIRA DE ANDRADE NETO, V.; WAGNER ALMEIDA VITOR, R. SEROPREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS FOR HUMAN TOXOPLASMOSIS IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL. Revista de Patologia Tropical / Journal of Tropical Pathology, Goiânia, v. 46, n. 4, p. 307–320, 2018. DOI: 10.5216/rpt.v46i4.51013. Disponível em: https://revistas.ufg.br/iptsp/article/view/51013. Acesso em: 17 jul. 2024.

Issue

Vol. 46 No. 4 (2017)

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

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