Multiparity as a risk factor for congenital toxoplasmosis: a cross-sectional study

# Background Congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) is caused by placental transfer of *Toxoplasma gondii* to the fetus, which can generate neurological, neurocognitive deficits, or death. Appropriate preventive strategies are required for infection-related risk factors. This study assessed the prevalence o...

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Main Authors: Priscilla Vilela dos Santos, Débora Nonato Miranda de Toledo, Bianca Alves Almeida Machado, Zolder Marinho Silva, Valter Ferreira de Andrade-Neto, Nathalia Sernizon Guimarães, André Talvani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Inishmore Laser Scientific Publishing Ltd 2021-12-01
Series:Journal of Global Health Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.29392/001c.29891
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author Priscilla Vilela dos Santos
Débora Nonato Miranda de Toledo
Bianca Alves Almeida Machado
Zolder Marinho Silva
Valter Ferreira de Andrade-Neto
Nathalia Sernizon Guimarães
André Talvani
author_facet Priscilla Vilela dos Santos
Débora Nonato Miranda de Toledo
Bianca Alves Almeida Machado
Zolder Marinho Silva
Valter Ferreira de Andrade-Neto
Nathalia Sernizon Guimarães
André Talvani
author_sort Priscilla Vilela dos Santos
collection DOAJ
description # Background Congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) is caused by placental transfer of *Toxoplasma gondii* to the fetus, which can generate neurological, neurocognitive deficits, or death. Appropriate preventive strategies are required for infection-related risk factors. This study assessed the prevalence of *T. gondii* infection and the factors associated with CT in pregnant women with assistance from the Public Health Service at Ouro Preto, Brazil. # Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between April and December 2020. Pregnant women (n=131) aged between 13 and 46 years, were recruited and evaluated for specific IgM/IgG antibody levels against *T. gondii*. A structured questionnaire was applied to determine the socioeconomic, environmental, gestational, clinical, and dietary patterns. # Results The prevalence of *T. gondii* was 45.8% (n = 60) in which multiparas revealed to be more exposed to infection and were 2.6 times more likely to become infected with the parasite compared to primiparas, (odds ratio, OR=2.60; 95% confidence interval, CI=1.25-5.39). A high prevalence of *T. gondii* seropositivity was found to be related to the absence of basic sanitation at home. In conclusion, multiparas constitute risk factor for CT. # Conclusions Educational and preventive measures should be intensified in uninfected multiparas to raise awareness about the potential risks of contact with *T. gondii*.
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spelling doaj-art-c3156eeda2924f879f0ffa137d552e422025-08-20T02:40:07ZengInishmore Laser Scientific Publishing LtdJournal of Global Health Reports2399-16232021-12-01510.29392/001c.29891Multiparity as a risk factor for congenital toxoplasmosis: a cross-sectional studyPriscilla Vilela dos SantosDébora Nonato Miranda de ToledoBianca Alves Almeida MachadoZolder Marinho SilvaValter Ferreira de Andrade-NetoNathalia Sernizon GuimarãesAndré Talvani# Background Congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) is caused by placental transfer of *Toxoplasma gondii* to the fetus, which can generate neurological, neurocognitive deficits, or death. Appropriate preventive strategies are required for infection-related risk factors. This study assessed the prevalence of *T. gondii* infection and the factors associated with CT in pregnant women with assistance from the Public Health Service at Ouro Preto, Brazil. # Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between April and December 2020. Pregnant women (n=131) aged between 13 and 46 years, were recruited and evaluated for specific IgM/IgG antibody levels against *T. gondii*. A structured questionnaire was applied to determine the socioeconomic, environmental, gestational, clinical, and dietary patterns. # Results The prevalence of *T. gondii* was 45.8% (n = 60) in which multiparas revealed to be more exposed to infection and were 2.6 times more likely to become infected with the parasite compared to primiparas, (odds ratio, OR=2.60; 95% confidence interval, CI=1.25-5.39). A high prevalence of *T. gondii* seropositivity was found to be related to the absence of basic sanitation at home. In conclusion, multiparas constitute risk factor for CT. # Conclusions Educational and preventive measures should be intensified in uninfected multiparas to raise awareness about the potential risks of contact with *T. gondii*.https://doi.org/10.29392/001c.29891
spellingShingle Priscilla Vilela dos Santos
Débora Nonato Miranda de Toledo
Bianca Alves Almeida Machado
Zolder Marinho Silva
Valter Ferreira de Andrade-Neto
Nathalia Sernizon Guimarães
André Talvani
Multiparity as a risk factor for congenital toxoplasmosis: a cross-sectional study
Journal of Global Health Reports
title Multiparity as a risk factor for congenital toxoplasmosis: a cross-sectional study
title_full Multiparity as a risk factor for congenital toxoplasmosis: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Multiparity as a risk factor for congenital toxoplasmosis: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Multiparity as a risk factor for congenital toxoplasmosis: a cross-sectional study
title_short Multiparity as a risk factor for congenital toxoplasmosis: a cross-sectional study
title_sort multiparity as a risk factor for congenital toxoplasmosis a cross sectional study
url https://doi.org/10.29392/001c.29891
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