Toxoplasma gondii primary infection in pregnant women in Goiânia: a seroconversion study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test toxoplasmosis seroconversion in pregnant women in Goiânia-GO, a city in the Midwestern Region of Brazil. A prospective observational study of pregnant women vulnerable to Toxoplasma gondii was carried out using Indirect Immunofluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) for serological screening and laboratorial surveillance of seroconversion. The immunoenzyme test (ELISA) was performed to confirm acute toxoplasmosis. The risk estimate used limits of reliability at 95% and the results were validated by  2 and RR tests. Acute infection found in the pregnant women participating in this study was 8.6% (45/522). Living in close contact with host animals and vehicles of oocyst transmission constituted statistical risks for pregnant women to acquire acute toxoplasmosis. This research revealed seroconversion (8.6%), pointing to the need of primary and secondary prevention for all pregnant women at risk (seronegative). This study originated a program for the protection of pregnant women in the state of Goiás.