Soroepidemiologia da toxoplasmose em estudantes de nível secundário na área metropolitana de Guadalajara, Jalisco, México

Resumo

AIMS: To determine the prevalence of specific antibodies and the associated risk factors for toxoplasmosis in students attending high-shool in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. METHODS: Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG and IgM antibodies were detected by using a home-made indirect immunofluorescence antibodies test. Socio-demographic variables and risk factors were recorded. The correlation was measured by Odds Ratio (95% CI), using Chi-square or Fischer test for statistical significance. RESULTS: Blood samples from 174 randomly recruited students were collected. The age range was 14 to 25 years old. In terms of gender, 65 (37%) were male and 109 (63%) were female. Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG and IgM antibodies were 17.8% and 4.6%, respectively. We did not find statistically significant differences due to age or gender. From the risk factors studied, the consumption of undercooked meat associated to Toxoplasma gondii specific IgG antibodies was X2 = 18.0, p< 0.0001, O.R=10.9, IC (2.9-40.3). Other variables were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii specific IgG and IgM antibodies were 17.8% and 4.6%, respectively. Students who had consumed undercooked meat had a 10.9 times greater risk of acquiring Toxoplasma gondii infection.