Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and risk factors in pregnant women followed up by the Family Health Strategy.

INTRODUCTION

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii. It is transmitted by the ingestion of contaminated water and foods, by soil contaminated with cat feces, especially while handling it, and congenitally via the placenta. The diagnosis of maternal infection is made by serological detection of either IgM or IgG antibodies. This study assessed the seropositivity in pregnant women followed up by the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil.

METHODS

The study was performed in 19 FHS units and included 148 childbearing women. The outcomes evaluated were IgM and IgG seropositivity and behavioral variables.

RESULTS

IgG yielded positive results in 16% of the pregnant women, whereas IgM was positive in only 1%.

CONCLUSIONS

The 1% IgM positivity rate for T. gondii indicates congenital toxoplasmosis is not common in Lages.