Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide health problem. Infection in pregnant women can result in severe fetal morbidity or in subclinical neonatal infection; most subclinical cases develop ocular and neurological sequelae. The purpose of this serological study was to assess the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in two populations of women of childbearing age in Siena (Tuscany, Central Italy) and Bari (Apulia, Southern Italy) between 2013 and 2017 and in a group of pregnant women in Bari in 2016–2017. Serum samples were tested for the presence of specific anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies by a commercially available ELISA test. The percentage of seropositive subjects in Bari was significantly higher than in Siena (22.4% vs. 12.4%) and an age-related trend was observed. A low prevalence of T. gondii infection (13.8%) was observed among the pregnant women tested. In addition to showing a significant difference between Central and Southern Italy, this study provides updated data on T. gondii seroprevalence in women during childbearing age and pregnancy. The results confirm a trend toward a decrease, especially in younger people and pregnant women.
Highlights
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a protozoan parasite of worldwide distribution and one of the most common human zoonoses, infecting more than a third of the world’s population [17]
In addition to showing a significant difference between Central and Southern Italy, this study provides updated data on T. gondii seroprevalence in women during childbearing age and pregnancy
The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies in women of childbearing age in Tuscany (Central Italy) and Apulia (Southern Italy), and pregnant women in Apulia, in order to provide data on the current state of toxoplasmosis in Italy
Summary
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a protozoan parasite of worldwide distribution and one of the most common human zoonoses, infecting more than a third of the world’s population [17]. Infection is asymptomatic or associated with flu-like symptoms. Congenital toxoplasmosis can be prevented by identifying non-immune women at the beginning of pregnancy, by providing information on how to avoid the infection, and by serological follow-up. Serological follow-up is based on repeated testing for specific IgG and IgM in order to distinguish, in the case of positivity, between acute and chronic infections [25]. In Italy, serological tests for toxoplasmosis are performed routinely during pregnancy, with the first evaluation carried out by the 13th week of pregnancy, followed by monthly testing of women who are seronegative for toxoplasmosis (total 5–7 tests) [16, 22]
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