Abstract
<h3>Objectives</h3> We sought to determine the prevalence of anti-<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> antibodies in Yoremes and to identify associations of <i>T. gondii</i> exposure with sociodemographic, clinical and behavioural characteristics of Yoremes. <h3>Design</h3> A cross-sectional survey. <h3>Setting</h3> Yoremes were enrolled in the locality of Tierra Blanca in the municipality of Navojoa in Sonora State, Mexico. <h3>Participants</h3> We studied 200 Yoremes (Mayos); they are an indigenous ethnic group living in a coastal region in northwestern Mexico. <h3>Primary and secondary outcome measures</h3> We assessed the prevalence of anti-<i>Toxoplasma</i> IgG and IgM antibodies in participants using enzyme-linked immunoassays. We used a standardised questionnaire to obtain the characteristics of Yoremes. The association of <i>T. gondii</i> exposure and Yoremes’ characteristics was assessed by bivariate and multivariate analyses. <h3>Results</h3> Of the 200 Yoremes studied (mean age: 31.50±18.43 years), 26 (13.0%) were positive for anti-<i>T. gondii</i> IgG antibodies and 19 (73.1%) of them were also positive for anti-<i>T. gondii</i> IgM antibodies. Seroprevalence of <i>T. gondii</i> infection did not vary with sex, educational level, occupation or socioeconomic status. In contrast, multivariate analysis of sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics showed that <i>T. gondii</i> exposure was associated with increasing age (OR=1.02; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.04; p=0.03) and consumption of squirrel meat (OR=4.99; 95% CI 1.07 to 23.31; p=0.04). Furthermore, seroprevalence of <i>T. gondii</i> infection was significantly higher in Yoremes with a history of lymphadenopathy (p=0.03) and those suffering from frequent abdominal pain (p=0.03). In women, <i>T. gondii</i> exposure was associated with a history of caesarean sections (p=0.03) and miscarriages (p=0.02). <h3>Conclusions</h3> We demonstrate, for the first time, serological evidence of <i>T. gondii</i> exposure among Yoremes in Mexico. Results suggest that infection with <i>T. gondii</i> might be affecting the health of Yoremes. Results may be useful for an optimal design of preventive measures against <i>T. gondii</i> infection.
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