Abstract
Two waterborne outbreaks of toxoplasmosis have been described recently in southern Brazil. We present data from a community-based study of pregnant women in northeastern Brazil. Consumption of homemade ice was the only variable associated with seropositivity (adjusted odds ratio, 3.1, 95% confidence interval, 1.53–6.24). Our results suggest water as a source of infection with Toxoplasma gondii.
Highlights
Two waterborne outbreaks of toxoplasmosis have been described recently in southern Brazil
Serum samples were tested for IgM and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to toxoplasma by ELISA (Vidas, bioMérieux, Nürtingen, Germany)
The IgG prevalence of 70% found in this study is consistent with results of a study in Fortaleza in which 72% of pregnant and postpartum women were seropositive for IgG to toxoplasmosis [8]
Summary
Two waterborne outbreaks of toxoplasmosis have been described recently in southern Brazil. We present data from a community-based study of pregnant women in northeastern Brazil. Our results suggest that water is a source of infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasma gondii is usually transmitted by consumption of food or water contaminated with oocysts from cat feces or soil or by eating undercooked meat that contains oocysts [1,2]. Data from Canada and southern Brazil indicate that infection occurs by drinking unfiltered water contaminated with oocysts [3,4,5,6]. Serum samples were tested for IgM and IgG antibodies to toxoplasma by ELISA (Vidas, bioMérieux, Nürtingen, Germany). Women with positive IgG titers but negative IgM titers were considered latently infected. Women with positive titers both for IgG and for IgM were considered to possibly have recent infections and were further tested for avidity of IgG antibodies (Vidas, bioMérieux). We were unable to rule out recent infections in women with low or intermediate IgG avidity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
