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Onyinye NP, Ikechukwu M, Chinedu N, Chukwuanugo N O, Nnamdi C OI, Nne AC. Recent and past toxoplasmosis infections, associated factors, and awareness among pregnant women in Nigeria. SAGE Open Med 2023; 11:20503121231202230. [PMID: 37915843 PMCID: PMC10617264 DOI: 10.1177/20503121231202230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives The study determined the rate of recent and past Toxoplasma gondii infections, associated factors, and awareness among expectant mothers assessing antenatal care in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Methods This prospective cohort study was conducted among pregnant women. A questionnaire was used to gather information on socio-demographics, infection risk factors, and awareness of the infection. Using an ELISA kit, the IgG and IgM antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii were assessed in blood samples from these women. For samples that tested positive for IgM, a real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the DNA. SPSS version 23 was used for data entry and analysis. The p-value < 0.05 was adjudged to be significant. Results A total of 250 pregnant women participated in the study. The rate of recent infection (IgM antibody positivity) was 3.6% (9/250), while past infection (IgG antibody positivity) was 68.4% (171/250). Polymerase chain reaction confirmed 5/9 recent infections as positive. Factors significantly associated with toxoplasmosis were gardening (p = 0.037) and undercooked meat (p = 0.023). Only 27 out of 250 pregnant women in this research had heard of toxoplasmosis, which translates to a low awareness rate of 10.8%. Conclusions The recent infection among pregnant women in this study indicates the possibility of mother-to-child transmission with attendant sequelae. There was a significant association between past Toxoplasmosis gondii infections and stillbirth. Routine screening for toxoplasmosis should be incorporated into the antenatal program since none of the symptoms could significantly predict illness. In addition, regular antennal care instruction should cover toxoplasmosis education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nnemelu Perpetua Onyinye
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria
| | - Mbachu Ikechukwu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Nigeria
| | - Ndukwe Chinedu
- Department of Anatomic Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Nigeria
| | - Ogbuagu Chukwuanugo N
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria
| | - Onyenyili Ikemefuna Nnamdi C
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria
| | - Akujobi Comfort Nne
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Nigeria
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Ybañez RHD, Ybañez AP, Nishikawa Y. Review on the Current Trends of Toxoplasmosis Serodiagnosis in Humans. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:204. [PMID: 32457848 PMCID: PMC7227408 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a widely distributed zoonotic infection caused by the obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It is mainly transmitted through the ingestion of oocysts shed by an infected cat acting as its definitive host. The key to effective control and treatment of toxoplasmosis is prompt and accurate detection of T. gondii infection. Several laboratory diagnostic methods have been established, including the most commonly used serological assays such as the dye test (DT), direct or modified agglutination test (DAT/MAT), indirect hemagglutination test (IHA), latex agglutination test (LAT), indirect immunofluorescent test (IFAT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), immunochromatographic tests (ICT), and the western blot. Nonetheless, creating specific and reliable approaches for serodiagnosis of T. gondii infection, and differentiating between acute and chronic phases of infection remains a challenge. This review provides information on the current trends in the serodiagnosis of human toxoplasmosis. It highlights the advantages of the use of recombinant proteins for serological testing and provides insight into the possible future direction of these methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rochelle Haidee D. Ybañez
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Adrian P. Ybañez
- Institute of Molecular Parasitology and Protozoan Diseases at Main and College of Veterinary Medicine, Cebu Technological University, Cebu City, Philippines
| | - Yoshifumi Nishikawa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
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Vimercati A, Chincoli A, de Gennaro AC, Calvario A, Amendolara M, Del Gaudio G, Laforgia N, Carbonara S. Congenital toxoplasmosis and proposal of a new classification for the likelihood of primary maternal infection: analysis of 375 cases in Southeast Italy. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019; 33:3746-3751. [PMID: 30835583 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2019.1583737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to propose a classification in order to stratify the probability of an acute Toxoplasma infection in pregnancy and to estimate the risk of vertical transmission.Study design: We evaluated the likelihood of a primary maternal infection according to the Lebech classification and to the modified-Lebech classification proposed for our group of 375 patients referred for a suspected primary maternal infection. Fetal diagnosis included the examination of amniotic fluid by PCR to detect Toxoplasma DNA as a confirmation test.Results: Differences between the old and new classification resulted statistically significant for old classes defined as probable and unlikely with a clear shift of cases from the unlikely to the probable class in the new classification. Transmission rate showed a significant (p < .05) increase of the transmission rate in the probable class in our new classification as compared with the Lebech one.Conclusions: Results obtained in the present study suggest that the new IgG avidity-based classification herein proposed could estimate more precisely the likelihood of a primary maternal Toxoplasma infection as well as the risk of fetal infection, when compared with the historical Lebech Classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Vimercati
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Neonatology and Anesthesiology, University Hospital of Bari Consorziale Policlinico, Bari, Italy
| | - Annarosa Chincoli
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Neonatology and Anesthesiology, University Hospital of Bari Consorziale Policlinico, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Caterina de Gennaro
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Neonatology and Anesthesiology, University Hospital of Bari Consorziale Policlinico, Bari, Italy
| | - Agata Calvario
- Department of Microbiology & Virology, University of Bari Consorziale Policlinico, Bari, Italy
| | - Mariella Amendolara
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Neonatology and Anesthesiology, University Hospital of Bari Consorziale Policlinico, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Del Gaudio
- Department of Microbiology & Virology, University of Bari Consorziale Policlinico, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Laforgia
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Neonatology and Anesthesiology, University Hospital of Bari Consorziale Policlinico, Bari, Italy
| | - Sergio Carbonara
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Bari Consorziale Policlinico, Bari, Italy
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Fochi MML, Baring S, Spegiorin LCJF, Vaz-Oliani DCM, Galão EA, Oliani AH, de Mattos LC, de Mattos CCB. Prematurity and Low Birth Weight did not Correlate with Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Maternal Serum Profiles--a Brazilian Report. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132719. [PMID: 26192182 PMCID: PMC4508015 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Gestational Toxoplasma gondii infection is considered a major risk factor for miscarriage, prematurity and low birth weight in animals. However, studies focusing on this topic in humans are scarce. The objective of this study is to determine whether anti-Toxoplasma gondii maternal serum profiles correlate prematurity and low birth weight in humans. The study examined 213 pregnant women seen at the High-Risk Pregnancy Hospital de Base, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. All serological profiles (IgM-/IgG+; IgM-/IgG-; IgM+/IgG+) were determined by ELISA commercial kits. Maternal age, gestational age and weight of the newborn at birth were collected and recorded in the Statement of Live Birth. Prematurity was defined as gestational age <37 weeks and low birth weight ≤ 2499 grams. The t-test was used to compare values (p < 0.05). The mean maternal age was 27.6±6.6 years. Overall, 56.3% (120/213) of the women studied were IgM-/IgG+, 36.2% (77/213) were IgM-/IgG- and 7.5% (16/213) were IgM+/IgG+. The average age of the women with serological profile IgM+/IgG+ (22.3±3.9 years) was different from women with the profile IgM-/IgG+ (27.9±6.7 years, p = 0.0011) and IgM-/IgG- (27.9±6.4 years, p = 0.0012). There was no statistically significant difference between the different serological profiles in relation to prematurity (p = 0.6742) and low birth weight (p = 0.7186). The results showed that prematurity and low birth weight did not correlate with anti-Toxoplasma gondii maternal serum profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Machado Lemos Fochi
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto–FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto–FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sabrina Baring
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Hospital de Base, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto–HB-FUNFARME, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lígia Cosentino Junqueira Franco Spegiorin
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Hospital de Base, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto–HB-FUNFARME, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto–FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Hospital da Criança e Maternidade de São José do Rio Preto–HCM, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto–FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Denise Cristina Mós Vaz-Oliani
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Hospital de Base, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto–HB-FUNFARME, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto–FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Hospital da Criança e Maternidade de São José do Rio Preto–HCM, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eloisa Aparecida Galão
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Hospital de Base, Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto–HB-FUNFARME, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto–FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Hospital da Criança e Maternidade de São José do Rio Preto–HCM, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Antonio Hélio Oliani
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto–FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Hospital da Criança e Maternidade de São José do Rio Preto–HCM, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos de Mattos
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto–FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto–FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cinara Cássia Brandão de Mattos
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto–FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- FAMERP Toxoplasma Research Group, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto–FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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