Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women in rural Durango, Mexico

J Parasitol. 2009 Apr;95(2):271-4. doi: 10.1645/GE-1829.1.

Abstract

The epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women in rural Mexico is largely unknown. The seroepidemiology of T. gondii infection in 439 pregnant women from 9 communities in rural Durango State, Mexico was investigated. Using commercial enzyme-linked immunoassays, sera were tested for T. gondii IgG, IgM, and avidity antibodies. Prevalences of T. gondii IgG antibodies in the communities varied from 0% to 20%. Overall, 36 (8.2%) of the 439 women had IgG T. gondii antibodies. Ten (2.3%) women had also T. gondii IgM antibodies; IgG avidity was high in all IgM-positive women, suggesting chronic infection. None of the women, however, had delivered a known T. gondii-infected child. The seroprevalence was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in women from low socio-economic conditions (14%) than in those with higher socio-economic status (6.6%). Multivariate analysis showed that T. gondii infection was associated with soil floors at home (adjusted OR = 2.89; 95% CI: 1.12-7.49). This is the first epidemiological study of T. gondii infection in pregnant women in rural Mexico.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood*
  • Antibody Affinity
  • Female
  • Floors and Floorcoverings
  • Housing
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / epidemiology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Rural Population
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Toxoplasma / immunology*
  • Toxoplasmosis / epidemiology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M