Abstract
Background:
The Toxoplasma gondii, an obligatory intracellular parasite, is the etiological agent of toxoplasmosis, which affects approximately one third of the world's population.
Objective:
To analyze the frequency of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women in Foz do Iguaçu and possible factors associated with the infection.
Method:
A retrospective cross-sectional study (2017 data) was carried out, which evaluated serological tests, IgG and IgM antibodies for T. gondii during pregnancy and possible factors associated the infection, based on the prenatal records of pregnant women in health units, Foz do Iguaçu/PR. The χ2 test for trend was used for data analysis, and the odds ratio (OR) to estimate the chance of association between variables.
Results:
Of the 1,000 prenatal records analyzed, 781 (78.1%) had serology records for T. gondii, of which 265 (34.0%) were immune to T. gondii, 31 (3.9%) had IgG and IgM antibodies, and 516 (66.0%) were susceptible. Most pregnant women started prenatal care in the first trimester 467 (60.0%). There was a predominance of pregnant women with more than one pregnancy 200 (44.0% — p=0.00001), Brazilian 259 (35.1% — p=0.0112), aged >41 years old 7 (63.6%), complete high school 125 (37.8% — p<0.05), and of white skin color 140 (38.5% — p=0.0164).
Conclusions:
An average frequency of infection was identified among pregnant women. The associated factors evidenced should be considered during prenatal care, along with educational actions to prevent infection.
Keywords:
toxoplasma; toxoplasmosis; pregnant women; disease susceptibility; prenatal diagnosis