Abstract
BackgroundToxoplasmosis is one of the common worldwide parasitic zoonosis due to Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy can result in fetal and neonatal death or various congenital defects. The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence and risk factors of T. gondii infection in pregnant women following antenatal care (ANC) services at Bobo Dioulasso.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted enrolling a sample of 316 pregnant women attending ANC at centers for maternal and child health of Bobo-Dioulasso town from March 2013 to February 2014. Data on socio-demographic and potential risk factors were collected from each study participant using structured questionnaire through face-to-face interview. Moreover, venous blood specimens were collected and tested for IgM and IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and enzyme linked fluorescent assay, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to identify the potential predictor variables for T. gondii infection.ResultsThe overall seroprevalence for T. gondii infection was 31.1% (98/316). All the pregnant women were positive for IgG anti-bodies exclusively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that having at least a secondary education level (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI: [1.04–4.63]); being urban resident (AOR = 2.81; 95% CI: [1.24–6.86]) and the consumption of meat combination (pork + beef + mutton + wild meat + poultry) (AOR = 4.00; 95% CI: [1.06–15.24]) were potential risk factors of T. gondii infection.ConclusionToxoplasmosis is frequent in pregnant women and studies that show incidence of T. gondii among the neonates have to be done to introduce routine antenatal screening program to control congenital toxoplasmosis. There is the need for preventive measures such as education of pregnant women about the transmission routes and prevention methods of toxoplasmosis at ANC clinics.
Highlights
Toxoplasmosis is one of the common worldwide parasitic zoonosis due to Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii)
Seroprevalence of T. gondii infection A total of 316 pregnant women were enrolled during the study period with the mean age ± standard deviation (SD) of 26. 9 ± 4.2 years
Risk factors associated with T. gondii infection In univariate analysis only non-housewives (OR = 2.05; 95% confidence interval (CI): [1.18–3.57]), women with at least secondary education level (OR = 2.12; 95% CI: [1.07–4.18]) and those living in urban areas of Bobo-Dioulasso town (OR = 2.41; 95% CI: [1.07–5.42]) were at higher odds of T. gondii infection (Table 1)
Summary
Toxoplasmosis is one of the common worldwide parasitic zoonosis due to Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy can result in fetal and neonatal death or various congenital defects. Toxoplasmosis is one of the common worldwide parasitic zoonosis, caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii [1]. World’s population is infected with T. gondii. Usually asymptomatic, it can result during pregnancy in fetal and neonatal death or various congenital defects [7] especially when the congenital infection occurs during the first trimester due to acute infection during pregnancy. Presence of domestic cat at home [3], contact with cat and gardening soil [8] were found to be the main risk factor toxoplasmosis during pregnancy
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