Seroprevalence of Gestational and Neonatal Toxoplasmosis as well as Risk Factors in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Background

Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women, is a significant public health problem due to risk of mother to child transmission. The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women and corresponding cord blood among women attending Biyem-Assi and CASS Nkoldongo hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Methods

An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2019 and May 2020 on 300 pregnant women from late second trimester to third trimester. A total of 259 cord blood samples were collected at birth from these women. Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG and IgM antibodies in maternal and cord blood were detected using the Toxoplasma Enzyme Immunosorbent Assay kit, and potential risk factors captured through questionnaire were identified using binary logistic regression model. Statistical significance was measured at P < 0.05.

Results

The overall seroprevalence of gestational and neonatal toxoplasmosis was 80% and 88%, respectively. IgG seropositivity was 72.7%, IgM only was 1.3% and cooccurrence of IgG/IgM was 6% amongst pregnant women. Out of 259 newborn cord bloods, 72.2% were positive for IgG only, 8.9% for IgM only, and 23.9% for both IgG/IgM. Pregnant women 15-24 years (AOR = 4.6, P = 0.011) and women with primary level of education (AOR = 3.9, P = 0.042) were significantly at risk of infection with Toxoplasma gondii.

Conclusion

Gestational and neonatal toxoplasmosis appears to be more common with higher risk of infection in younger women and less educated women. Hence, these findings will serve as baseline data for further investigations on mother to child transmission of toxoplasmosis in Yaoundé and the need for reinforcement of pregnant women toxoplasmosis-related health measures.