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Pereira ELGM, Ferreira IB, Victorino RB, Lescano SAZ, Giuffrida R, Kmetiuk LB, Biondo AW, Santarém VA. Serosurvey of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. co-infection in pregnant women in low-income areas of Brazil. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1340434. [PMID: 38333736 PMCID: PMC10850292 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1340434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Despite human toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis having been listed among the top six most neglected parasitic zoonoses worldwide, presenting similar associated risk factors and transmission routes, few studies have been conducted in pregnant women and the consequences of concurrent infection remain to be fully established. Accordingly, the present study has serologically assessed the co-infection and associated risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. in pregnant women, assisted by the public Unified National Health System (SUS) in southeastern Brazil. Materials and Methods Blood samples were collected and tested for IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii by chemiluminescence immunoassay and against Toxocara spp. by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). An epidemiological questionnaire was applied to gather socioeconomic information to assess the risk factors associated with seropositivity to toxocariasis/toxoplasmosis by univariate analysis followed by logistic regression. Results Overall, seropositivity was 69/280 (24.6, 95% CI: 19.96-30.01) for T. gondii and 56/280 (20.0, 95% CI: 15.73-25.08) for Toxocara spp. Co-infection was observed in 25/280 (8.9, 95% CI: 6.12-12.85) pregnant women, with increased odds (OR: 3.3, CI 95%: 1.77-6.14, p = 0.0002). Logistic regression revealed that a higher educational level (high school or college) significantly reduced the likelihood of co-infection seropositivity, owning cats increased the odds of toxocariasis, and older pregnant women presented significantly higher T. gondii seropositivity. Conclusion Co-infection herein highlights the importance of educational programs in the prevention of toxocariasis and toxoplasmosis in pregnant women and other high-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Rogério Giuffrida
- Graduate College in Animal Sciences, University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Alexander Welker Biondo
- Graduate College of Cell and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
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Mihu AG, Micle O, Lupu MA, Olariu TR. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Females Aged 15-45 Years from Bihor County, Western Romania. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2022; 22:195-198. [PMID: 35138942 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2021.0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that causes an important worldwide zoonosis called toxoplasmosis. This infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent people. If the infection occurs in pregnant women, it poses great risks to the infant due to its clinical manifestations as mental retardation, seizures, or chorioretinitis. In this study, we evaluated the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against T. gondii in females aged 15-45 years in Bihor County, Romania. Serum samples drawn from 1935 females aged 15-45 years were screened for IgG antibodies against T. gondii. T. gondii antibodies were found in 706 females (36.48%) and the proportion of IgG positive females tended to increase with age. The seroprevalence was higher in females residing in rural areas (47.79%) compared with those from urban areas (30.95%). This is the first study on the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in females aged 15-45 years from Bihor County, Romania. Our survey brings new and important data regarding the seroepidemiology of T. gondii and provides an insight into the demographic risk factors as a basis for a future prevention program for toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alin Gabriel Mihu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Discipline of Parasitology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania.,Department of Biology and Life Sciences, Discipline of Microbiology, Vasile Goldis Western University, Arad, Romania.,Bioclinica, Arad, Romania
| | - Otilia Micle
- Department of Preclinical Disciplines, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania.,Bioclinica, Oradea, Romania
| | - Maria Alina Lupu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Discipline of Parasitology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Tudor Rares Olariu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Discipline of Parasitology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania.,Clinical Laboratory, Municipal Clinical Emergency Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
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Pedraza DF, Lins ACDL. [Clinical complications during pregnancy: a systematic review of studies with pregnant Brazilian women]. CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA 2021; 26:5329-5350. [PMID: 34787223 DOI: 10.1590/1413-812320212611.3.33202019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The scope of this paper was to describe the main clinical complications among pregnant Brazilian women reported in the literature, identifying the most relevant exposure factors and their outcomes in maternal and child health. This is a systematic review of articles published between 2010 and 2018. Three reviews and 36 empirical articles were included; mental disorders (n=9), infectious diseases (n=9) and severe maternal morbidity (n=8) were the main clinical complications during pregnancy. In addition, four articles focused on determining the main conditions or causes of hospitalization, with a higher frequency of Urinary Tract Infection, anemia and hypertensive diseases. Maternal age at reproductive extremes, lower schooling, socioeconomic vulnerability, racial characteristics and the use of public health services were the most relevant exposure factors. Unfavorable health outcomes associated with clinical complications in pregnancy were verified in the eight articles with this profile. The frequency of pregnant women with potential life-threatening clinical complications is high in the country, highlighting the importance of primary care coverage and the implementation of interventions to reduce and prevent adverse maternal and child outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dixis Figueroa Pedraza
- Universidade Estadual da Paraíba. Av. das Baraúnas 351, Campus Universitário, Bodocongó. 58109-753 Campina Grande PB Brasil.
| | - Anahi Cézar de Lima Lins
- Universidade Estadual da Paraíba. Av. das Baraúnas 351, Campus Universitário, Bodocongó. 58109-753 Campina Grande PB Brasil.
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Al Malki JS, Hussien NA, Al Malki F. Maternal toxoplasmosis and the risk of childhood autism: serological and molecular small-scale studies. BMC Pediatr 2021; 21:133. [PMID: 33731054 PMCID: PMC7968291 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-021-02604-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasmosis resulting from infection with the Toxoplasma parasite has become an endemic disease worldwide. Recently, a few studies have reported a high prevalence of Toxoplasmosis infections among Saudi Arabian women. This disease could become life threatening for pregnant women and for immunodeficient people. There is evidence that infections during pregnancy, especially in the early stages, are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Autism disorder represents one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders worldwide; it is associated with delayed language development, weak communication interaction, and repetitive behavior. The relationship between prenatal toxoplasmosis and autism in childhood remains unclear. The present study aims to report a link between maternal toxoplasmosis and autistic offspring among Saudi Arabian women. Method Blood samples (36 maternal, 36 from their non-autistic children, and 36 from their autistic children) were collected for serological and molecular evaluation. Results A toxoplasmosis infection was reported for 33.34% of participants using an ELISA assay (5.56% IgG+/IgM+, 11.11% IgG−/IgM+, and 16.67% IgG+/IgM-); however, a nested PCR assay targeting B1 toxoplasmosis specific genes recorded positive tests for 80.56% of the samples. In addition, the present study detected several points of mutation of mtDNA including NADH dehydrogenase (ND1, ND4) and Cyt B genes and the nDNA pyruvate kinase (PK) gene for autistic children infected with toxoplasmosis. Conclusion Considering previous assumptions, we suggest that a maternal toxoplasmosis infection could have a role in the development of childhood autism linked to mtDNA and nDNA impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamila S Al Malki
- Department of biology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nahed Ahmed Hussien
- Department of biology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Fuad Al Malki
- Pediatric Department, College of Medicine, Majmaah University, P.O. Box 66, Almajmaah, 11952, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Tarekegn ZS, Dejene H, Addisu A, Dagnachew S. Potential risk factors associated with seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women and HIV infected individuals in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008944. [PMID: 33320848 PMCID: PMC7771857 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular and neurotropic apicomplexan protozoan parasite infecting almost all warm-blooded vertebrates including humans. To date in Ethiopia, no systematic study has been investigated on the overall effects of potential risk factors associated with seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women and HIV infected individuals. We intended to determine the potential risk factors (PRFs) associated with seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii from published data among pregnant women and HIV infected individuals of Ethiopia. METHODOLOGY An systematic review of the previous reports was made. We searched PubMed, Science Direct, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar for studies with no restriction on the year of publication. All references were screened independently in duplicate and were included if they presented data on at least two risk factors. Meta-analysis using the random or fixed-effects model was made to calculate the overall effects for each exposure. RESULTS Of the 216 records identified, twenty-four reports met our eligibility criteria, with a total of 6003 individuals (4356 pregnant women and 1647 HIV infected individuals). The pooled prevalences of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were found at 72.5% (95% CI: 58.7% - 83.1%) in pregnant women and 85.7% (95% CI: 76.3% - 91.8%) in HIV infected individuals. A significant overall effect of anti-Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity among pregnant women (p < 0.05) was witnessed with age, abortion history, contact with cats, cat ownership, having knowledge about toxoplasmosis, being a housewife and having unsafe water source. Age, cat ownership, and raw meat consumption were also shown a significant effect (p < 0.05) to anti-Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity among HIV infected individuals. CONCLUSIONS This review showed gaps and drawbacks in the earlier studies that are useful to keep in mind to design accurate investigations in the future. The pooled prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies was found to be higher among pregnant women and HIV infected individuals. This suggests that thousands of immunocompromised individuals (pregnant women and HIV infected patients) are at risk of toxoplasmosis due to the sociocultural and living standards of the communities of Ethiopia. Appropriate preventive measures are needed to reduce the exposure to Toxoplasma gondii infection. Further studies to investigate important risk factors are recommended to support the development of more cost-effective preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zewdu Seyoum Tarekegn
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Haileyesus Dejene
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Agerie Addisu
- Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Shimelis Dagnachew
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Rahmanian V, Rahmanian K, Jahromi AS, Bokaie S. Seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii infection: An umbrella review of updated systematic reviews and meta-analyses. J Family Med Prim Care 2020; 9:3848-3855. [PMID: 33110778 PMCID: PMC7586519 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_753_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Toxoplasmosis is one of the neglected parasitic disease in humans and animals that produced via toxoplasma gondii. This study we implemented an umbrella review of all existing systematic reviews, meta-analyzing studies to apprise, and summarize seroprevalence of human toxoplasmosis in worldwide. Methods: The search was carried out in databases including: Pub Med, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and global health from their start dates until December 2018 in Persian and English language. A total of 21 systematics review and meta-analysis met the inclusion criteria of umbrella review. The Q test and the I2 statistic were used to evaluate heterogeneities. Quality assessment were performed and made use of the AMSTAR tool. Results: The estimated pooled seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in blood donors, Immunocompromised patients, childbearing age women, general population, newborns and children, pregnant women and overall was 33% (95% CI, 29.0–38.0%), 42.0% (95 CI, 34.0–49.0%), 32.0% (CI, 26.0–38.0%), 42.0% (CI, 38.0–45.0%), 4.0% (CI, 2.0–5.0%), 40.0% (CI,37.0–44.0%), and 36% (CI, 24.0–48.0%), respectively. Conclusion: The results of our umbrella review show a higher seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in immunocompromised patients, general population, pregnant women, blood donors, childbearing age women, and newborn groups, respectively. Routine serologic screening test and health education by primary care physicians for Toxoplasmosis is recommended to be conducted in high-risk groups in the endemic region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Rahmanian
- Zoonoses Research Center, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | | | | | - Saied Bokaie
- Epidemiology and Zoonosis Division, Department of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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