Estudo prospectivo sobre a transmissão de toxoplasmose congênita no Noroeste Paulista

Abstract

The aim of our study was to assess toxoplasmosis frequency and its risk factors in pregnant women and their newborns from São Paulo State Northwest region. From two thousand and a hundred pregnant women, 232 patients were screened in the referral outpatient clinics of two Health Units in São José do Rio Preto, between June 2005 and March 2006. Serological analysis was performed by the IgG indirect hemagglutination assay. The 133 positive pregnant women were also evaluated by the IgG-avidity test followed by ELISA assays for IgM and IgG for their newborns. The transmission risk factors were accomplished by interview. The independence among rates was determined by the Chi-Square method and odds ratio test with a 5% significance level. The obtained data showed 57.3% of IgG reagent pregnant women, all of them providing highly IgG-avidity results. The newborns showed positivity to IgG but they were all negative to IgM. Our data suggest that the transmission of this protozoan occurs in the studied area. However, we could not demonstrate congenital transmission. Ingestion of water from public reservoirs and unpasteurized milk were considered to be risk factors to toxoplasmosis in the Northwest region of São Paulo State. Due to the Toxoplasma gondii ascertained transmission, serological accompaniment of pregnant women it is highly recommended.