Factors Associated with <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Seroprevalence in Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis, caused by the cosmopolitan protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, has particular implications during pregnancy due to the possible transmission of infection to the fetus. Very few studies have assessed seroprevalence and the risk factors for toxoplasmosis in healthy pregnant women. The aim of this study was to examine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in healthy pregnant women and to identify the associated risk factors for toxoplasmosis. The cross-sectional study involved 300 healthy pregnant women who came to the Institute for Blood Transfusion in Belgrade between November 2018 and February 2019 for routine blood group and Rh factor testing before delivery, who were also tested using serological screening for the presence of specific antibodies. Positives were further examined using enzyme immunoassay. Of the total sera of participants analyzed, 38 were positive for specific IgG, resulting in a seroprevalence rate of 12.7% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 9.1–17.0%). All pregnant women presented negative anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that living in a house with a garden was independently associated with the risk of T. gondii infections, while eating chicken meat was connected with a lower risk compared to eating other types of meat with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.5 (95% CI 1.21–5.02) and an OR of 0.3 (95% CI 0.09–0.83), respectively. Although the prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies is relatively low, it is essential to maintain and adapt evidence-based preventive measures for toxoplasmosis continually.

Keywords

• <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>
• toxoplasmosis
• seroprevalence
• risk factors
• pregnant women