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Noori M, Zibaei M, Bairami A, Hashemi SA, Heidari A, Bakhshipour F, Hatami Z, Bahadory S. Toxocara infection in pregnant women: seroprevalence and risk factors. BMC Womens Health 2025; 25:258. [PMID: 40426133 PMCID: PMC12107781 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-025-03809-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human toxocariasis caused by T. canis is a worldwide and typically neglected zoonotic parasitic disease. Certain behaviors such as a geophagia habit, poor personal hygiene, close contact with young dogs, and ingestion of raw meat, as well as age, and socioeconomic status, affect the prevalence of the disease. In this study, we aimed at investigating the frequency of Toxocara infection among pregnant women and the epidemiological factors associated with disease. METHODS Toxocariasis-specific IgG antibodies were measured using a commercial ELISA technique in 200 pregnant women between December 2021 and May 2022. A questionnaire filled by participants included options for demographic information (age, gender, residency), gestational age, number of previous pregnancies, history of abortion, drug use, comorbidities, history of parasitic disease, and keeping pets (dogs or cats). RESULTS In total, 15 (7.5%) of the 200 participants (mean age 29.7 ± 18.7 years) had anti-T. canis antibodies. High-titer antibodies were most prevalent among the subjects aged 25-29 years. Logistic regression analysis showed that the pregnant women who had a history of abortions (P = 0.029), and keeping pets and contact with dogs and cats (P = 0.031) had an increased risk of acquiring toxocariasis. The study showed that demographic characteristics such as age group, pregnancy trimester, and underlying conditions were not significantly associated with toxocariasis (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Considering the significant prevalence of toxocariasis in pregnant women as well as its health risks, preventive health measures against the toxocariasis risk factors seem more necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjan Noori
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 3149779453, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mohammad Zibaei
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 3149779453, Karaj, Iran.
| | - Amir Bairami
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 3149779453, Karaj, Iran.
| | - Seyed Ali Hashemi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Kamali Hospital, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Alborz, Iran
| | - Aliehsan Heidari
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 3149779453, Karaj, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Bakhshipour
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 3149779453, Karaj, Iran
| | - Zahra Hatami
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 3149779453, Karaj, Iran
| | - Saeed Bahadory
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 3149779453, Karaj, Iran
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Salari N, Rahimi A, Zarei H, Abdolmaleki A, Rasoulpoor S, Shohaimi S, Mohammadi M. Global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2025; 25:90. [PMID: 39885489 PMCID: PMC11780849 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-025-07182-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2025] [Indexed: 02/01/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy is associated with serious and irreversible maternal and fetal detrimental consequences. Also, different seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnancy is reported in many countries. The present systematic review and meta-analysis study aimed to determine the global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women. METHODS This study was conducted based on the PRISMA 2020 criteria. Initial searching was conducted using MeSH (Medical Subject Headings)-based keywords with no time limitation (by August 1, 2024). Collected papers were transferred to Citation Management Software (EndNote). Duplicate studies were merged and primary and secondary screenings were applied based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Validation was considered to find high-quality assessments. Finally, eligible extractable papers were enrolled for data collection. Data was analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (v.2) The random effects model was used in case of I2 index above 50%.In order to investigate the factors affecting the heterogeneity of studies, meta-regression tests were used to examine factors such as sample size and year of study. RESULTS One hundred thirty-eight eligible studies with a total sample size of 135,098 pregnant women individuals were selected for data extraction and analysis. The heterogeneity index was found high (I2:98.9) and the random effect model was used for analysis. The egger test revealed the absence of publication bias in collected studies (p:0.088). Thus, the global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women was reported at 36.6% (95%CI:33.7-39.6). the highest prevalence reported based on meta-analysis was reported in South America with 52.8% (95% CI:46.6-59), while only 15 studies were reviewed in this continent, most of which were in Brazil. Therefore, after the continent, the highest prevalence reported was reported in Africa with 46.8% (95% CI:39.5-54.3). Also, the lowest prevalence reported based on meta-analysis was in North America with 19.7% (95% CI:8.4-39.6) and Europe with 24.6% (95% CI:17.8-32.9). CONCLUSION This study revealed a high level of seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women worldwide. This value mostly depends on the individual's age, lifestyle, and disease awareness regarding toxoplasmosis in pregnant women. Thus, public awareness, along with comprehensive health programs regarding the detrimental effects of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women, seems necessary for prevention or even early diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nader Salari
- Sleep Disorders Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Avijeh Rahimi
- Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Hosna Zarei
- Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Amir Abdolmaleki
- Department of Operating Room, Nahavand School of Allied Medical Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Shabnam Rasoulpoor
- Department of Nursing, Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Shamarina Shohaimi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Masoud Mohammadi
- Research Center for Social Determinants of Health, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran.
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Lozano TDSP, Benitez A, dos Santos JC, Navarro IT, Nagata WB, Pinto MDS, Gomes JF, Debortoli GZT, Santos-Doni TR, Bresciani KDS. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Associated Risk Factors in Pregnant Women in Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil: A Multi-Level Analysis. Microorganisms 2024; 12:2183. [PMID: 39597572 PMCID: PMC11596518 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12112183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2024] [Revised: 10/17/2024] [Accepted: 10/23/2024] [Indexed: 11/29/2024] Open
Abstract
This study assessed the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and risk factors among 428 pregnant women attending Basic Health Units (BHUs) in Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil. The seroprevalence was 55.14%, indicating high exposure to the parasite in this population. Using a multi-level logistic regression model, this study analyzed these predictors to determine their association with a higher seropositivity rate, with BHUs included as a random factor. Predictors associated with higher seropositivity included older age (36-45 years), with a 71.64% prevalence in this group, and multiparity (61.65%). Women with lower educational levels were also more likely to be infected, with 59.46% seropositivity recorded among those who had only completed elementary school. Despite identifying several risk factors, no significant correlation was found between undercooked meat consumption or contact with soil and infection. These findings highlight the need for targeted public health interventions, particularly for educating high-risk groups about toxoplasmosis prevention, such as safe food handling and avoiding raw dairy products. Additionally, BHUs play a critical role in early detection and prevention. These units are important for providing healthcare access and preventive education for vulnerable populations. Given the high seroprevalence, this study underscores the urgency of implementing prenatal screening and educational programs to reduce the risks of congenital toxoplasmosis in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiani da Silva Palhota Lozano
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araçatuba 16050-680, SP, Brazil; (T.d.S.P.L.); (A.B.); (J.C.d.S.); (W.B.N.); (M.d.S.P.)
| | - Aline Benitez
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araçatuba 16050-680, SP, Brazil; (T.d.S.P.L.); (A.B.); (J.C.d.S.); (W.B.N.); (M.d.S.P.)
| | - Joice Cristina dos Santos
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araçatuba 16050-680, SP, Brazil; (T.d.S.P.L.); (A.B.); (J.C.d.S.); (W.B.N.); (M.d.S.P.)
| | - Italmar Teodorico Navarro
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Londrina 86057-970, PR, Brazil;
| | - Walter Bertequini Nagata
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araçatuba 16050-680, SP, Brazil; (T.d.S.P.L.); (A.B.); (J.C.d.S.); (W.B.N.); (M.d.S.P.)
| | - Michel dos Santos Pinto
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araçatuba 16050-680, SP, Brazil; (T.d.S.P.L.); (A.B.); (J.C.d.S.); (W.B.N.); (M.d.S.P.)
| | - Jancarlo Ferreira Gomes
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Instituto de Computação, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas 13083-887, SP, Brazil;
| | - Gabriele Zaine Teixeira Debortoli
- Instituto de Ciências Agrárias (ICA), Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM), Avenida Universitária, Unaí 38610-000, MG, Brazil;
| | - Thaís Rabelo Santos-Doni
- Instituto de Ciências Agrárias (ICA), Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM), Avenida Universitária, Unaí 38610-000, MG, Brazil;
| | - Katia Denise Saraiva Bresciani
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araçatuba 16050-680, SP, Brazil; (T.d.S.P.L.); (A.B.); (J.C.d.S.); (W.B.N.); (M.d.S.P.)
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Galván-Ramírez MDLL, Soto-Hernández EE, Bojórquez-Pérez R. Coinfection of Toxoplasma gondii and Other Microorganisms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Microorganisms 2024; 12:2106. [PMID: 39458415 PMCID: PMC11510090 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12102106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2024] [Revised: 10/14/2024] [Accepted: 10/15/2024] [Indexed: 10/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, which has infected a third of the global population. Immunocompromised individuals and children with congenital disorders are most likely to be impacted by toxoplasmosis, and accurate diagnosis is essential. Toxoplasmosis is associated with HIV, schizophrenia, and diabetes. However, few studies have analyzed the association with other microorganisms. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of coinfection of Toxoplasma gondii with other pathogens. From November 1997 to June 2024, PubMed, Science Direct, LAT index, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Research Gate were searched. The keywords used were "Toxoplasma and microorganism coinfection", "Toxoplasma coinfection and parasites", "Toxoplasma coinfection and Protozoans or Bacteria or Helminths or Nematodes or Trematodes or Mycobacterium", "Toxoplasma gondii in coinfection with virus", and "Human Toxoplasmosis and coinfection". Next, OpenMeta Analyst Software version 12.11 was used for meta-analysis, creating forest plots, and determining heterogeneity I2. A total of 17,535 patients in 48 articles, of whom 5848 were seropositive to T. gondii, were included in this review. Population studies showed that the prevalence of virus infection was most frequent (32%), followed by parasites (18.4%), bacteria (29.7%), and fungi (5.8%). The pooled prevalence of coinfection was found to be 29.1%, with a lower bound of 0.232, an upper bound of 0.350, a standard error of 0.030, and p < 0.001. Heterogeneity (I2) was 99.12%, p < 0.001, with a global variance tau2 = 0.042. Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunist that mainly affects immunocompromised populations. The main coinfections were found to be viral infections, with HIV ranking first, followed by cytomegalovirus, hepatitis B and C, rubella, herpes simplex 1 and 2, SARS-CoV-2, and coxsackie virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- María de la Luz Galván-Ramírez
- Departamento de Microbiología y Patología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico;
| | - Eber Eduardo Soto-Hernández
- Departamento de Microbiología y Patología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico;
| | - Rocío Bojórquez-Pérez
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán 80050, Sinaloa, Mexico;
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Firmino SS, Santos-Doni TR, Silva VMF, Micheleto AC, de Souza MS, Hortêncio BL, Benitez ADN, Bento YM, Debortoli GZT, Gomes JF, Navarro IT, Bresciani KDS. Toxoplasma gondii Seropositivity and Co-Infection with TORCH Complex Pathogens in Pregnant Women from Araçatuba, Brazil. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1844. [PMID: 39338518 PMCID: PMC11434501 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12091844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
This study examined the seropositivity of T. gondii and coinfections with other TORCH pathogens among pregnant women attending 17 Basic Health Units (UBS) in Araçatuba, SP, Brazil. Of the 711 pregnant women seen at these UBS, only 297 were tested for T. gondii. Of the women tested for T. gondii (n = 297), 26.9% had IgG antibodies, 6.7% had IgM, and 32.0% tested positive for either or both. Only 1.4% showed both IgG and IgM antibodies, while 67.7% were non-reactive. The seropositivity was 17.1% for syphilis, 63.2% for rubella, 0.9% for hepatitis C, 0.9% for dengue, 17.9% for COVID-19, and 0.9% for herpes simplex (types 1/2). Coinfections with syphilis, rubella, and herpes simplex were also noted. Higher education levels appeared to protect against T. gondii seropositivity. The findings highlight a significant prevalence of T. gondii among pregnant women, with variation across UBSs, pointing to socioeconomic, behavioral, and environmental factors as influential. We also observed co-occurrence with other infections, such as syphilis, rubella, and herpes simplex. The study underscores the need for targeted public health interventions to reduce the risks of congenital infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Santos Firmino
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araçatuba 16050-680, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thaís Rabelo Santos-Doni
- Instituto de Ciências Agrárias (ICA), Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM), Avenida Universitária, Unaí 38610-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Vitória Maria Farias Silva
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araçatuba 16050-680, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aressa Cassemiro Micheleto
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araçatuba 16050-680, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ma Scalise de Souza
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araçatuba 16050-680, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruna Lima Hortêncio
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araçatuba 16050-680, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aline do Nascimento Benitez
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araçatuba 16050-680, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Yasmin Melim Bento
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araçatuba 16050-680, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriele Zaine Teixeira Debortoli
- Instituto de Ciências Agrárias (ICA), Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM), Avenida Universitária, Unaí 38610-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Jancarlo Ferreira Gomes
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas e Instituto de Computação, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas 13083-887, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Italmar Teodorico Navarro
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Londrina 86057-970, Paraná, Brazil
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