Parasites & Vectors (Jul 2014)

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and associated risk factors in Huicholes in Mexico

  • Cosme Alvarado-Esquivel,
  • Sandy Janet Pacheco-Vega,
  • Jesús Hernández-Tinoco,
  • Luis Francisco Sánchez-Anguiano,
  • Luis Omar Berumen-Segovia,
  • Francisco Javier Imard Rodríguez-Acevedo,
  • Isabel Beristain-García,
  • Elizabeth Rábago-Sánchez,
  • Oliver Liesenfeld,
  • Federico Campillo-Ruiz,
  • Oscar Alberto Güereca-García

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-3305-7-301
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
pp. 1 – 7

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Background Very little is known about the seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in ethnic groups in Mexico. Huicholes are an indigenous ethnic group living in a remote mountainous region in Mexico. We sought to determine the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies in Huicholes; and to determine the association of Toxoplasma seropositivity with socio-demographic, behavioral, and clinical characteristics of Huicholes. Methods We performed a cross sectional survey in Huicholes from September 2013 to January 2014. A convenience sampling method was used. We investigated the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies in 214 Huicholes using enzyme-linked immunoassays. A standardized questionnaire was used to obtain the characteristics of the Huicholes. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the association of Toxoplasma exposure and Huicholes’ characteristics. Results Of the 214 Huicholes studied (mean age: 37.98 ± 15.80 years), 71 (33.2%) were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies and 47 (66.2%) of them were also positive for anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies. Seroprevalence of T. gondii infection did not vary with age, sex, or occupation. However, seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies was significantly higher in female than in male Huicholes. Multivariate analysis of socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics showed that T. gondii exposure was associated with consumption of turkey meat (OR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.16-4.46; P = 0.01). In addition, seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was significantly higher in Huicholes suffering from dizziness and memory impairment than those without such clinical characteristics. Conclusions Our results demonstrate serological evidence of T. gondii exposure among Huicholes which may be impacting their health. Results of this first study of T. gondii infection in Huicholes may be useful for the design of optimal preventive measures against infection with T. gondii.

Keywords