Dataset Information

The Seropositivity of Toxocara spp. Antibodies in Pregnant Women Attented at the University Hospital in Southern Brazil and the Factors Associated with Infection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Human toxocariasis is a parasitic zoonosis with a worldwide distribution but is underdiagnosed with an underestimated impact on human health. The ingestion of embryonated eggs of Toxocara spp. present on the hands or in contaminated food or water is the main mode of infection. The only record of Toxocara congenital infection in humans occurred in a premature infant. Helminth infections during pregnancy may be associated with reproductive disorders. Studies investigating the occurrence of toxocariasis in pregnancy are scarce, as is research on the possible implications of these parasites in reproductive health. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies to Toxocara spp. in pregnant women and to identify risk factors associated with its infection.

Methodology/principal findings

The cross-sectional study of the seropositivity of specific antibodies for Toxocara spp. was performed on 280 pregnant women. Serum samples were examined with enzyme-linked immunoassay. Epidemiological data were obtained through a questionnaire containing information about obstetric history, general life style choices, and the social and economic status of the women. The prevalence of Toxocara spp. IgG in pregnant women was 6.4%. Some of the risk factors associated with the infection were owning dogs (p = 0.003), living in the city centre (p = 0.028), living at the city beach (p = 0.003), and having a family income at or below minimum wage (p < 0.001). There was no association between reproductive disorders and Toxocara seropositivity.

Conclusions/significance

The seroprevalence of 6.4% for Toxocara spp. in pregnant women shows that there was exposure to the parasite. The study demonstrates the need for attention for the completion of clinical diagnosis parameters, as well as the expansion of highly specific serological studies in different regions to understand the impact of toxocariasis in pregnancy.

SUBMITTER: Santos PC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4492739 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

The Seropositivity of Toxocara spp. Antibodies in Pregnant Women Attented at the University Hospital in Southern Brazil and the Factors Associated with Infection.

Santos Paula Costa PC Lehmann Lis Maurente LM Lorenzi Carolina C Hirsch Carolina C Telmo Paula Lima PL Mattos Gabriela Torres GT Cadore Priscila Silva PS Klafke Gabriel Baracy GB Berne Maria Elisabeth Aires ME Gonçalves Carla Vitola CV Scaini Carlos James CJ

PloS one 20150706 7

<h4>Background</h4>Human toxocariasis is a parasitic zoonosis with a worldwide distribution but is underdiagnosed with an underestimated impact on human health. The ingestion of embryonated eggs of Toxocara spp. present on the hands or in contaminated food or water is the main mode of infection. The only record of Toxocara congenital infection in humans occurred in a premature infant. Helminth infections during pregnancy may be associated with reproductive disorders. Studies investigating the oc ...[more]

PMID: 26146833

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Project description:Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common condition that causes significant harm to the well-being and quality of life of pregnant women. This cross-sectional population-based study aimed to estimate the prevalence and identify factors associated with the occurrence of UI during pregnancy in women living in the municipality of Rio Grande (RS), Southern Brazil, between January 1 and December 31 of 2016, and included all puerperae living in this municipality that had a child in one of the two local maternity hospitals. The previously trained interviewers used a single standardized questionnaire, within 48 hours after delivery to retrieve information on maternal demographic, behavioral and reproductive/obstetric history, as well as socioeconomic status of the household and care received during pregnancy and childbirth. The multivariate analysis followed a previously defined hierarchical model using Poisson regression with robust variance adjustment and prevalence ratio (PR) as a measure of effect. As a result, 2,716 puerperae were identified, of which 2,694 (99.2%) participated in this study. The prevalence of urinary incontinence in the gestational period was 14.7% (95%CI: 13.4%-16.1%). After adjusted analysis, the likelihood of UI occurring varied significantly as per women's characteristics. For example, the PR for the occurrence of UI among women over 30 years of age was 2.05 (95% CI: 1.39-3.01) compared to adolescents. In two other groups of women who had their first pregnancy before the age of 20 or after the age of 30, the PR for UI was 1.36 (95% CI: 1.04-1.76) and 1.59 (95% CI: 1.01-2.51), respectively, when compared to those who became pregnant for the first time between 20 and 29 years of age. Finally, in two other groups of women, namely, those who reached 90 kg and over at the end of pregnancy and those who performed regular physical exercise and reported frequent urinary urgency, the PR was 2.49 (95% CI: 1.74-3.57), and 2.90 (95% CI: 2.10-4.00) compared to those who did not exercise and did not report urinary urgency, respectively. The authors concluded that UI showed a high prevalence in the study population. The identified risk factors can be well administered at primary health care level. The recommendation of regular physical exercise in pregnancy must be reviewed and better investigated with more robust designs because of possible facilitators for the occurrence of UI in this period.

Dataset Information

The Seropositivity of Toxocara spp. Antibodies in Pregnant Women Attented at the University Hospital in Southern Brazil and the Factors Associated with Infection.

Background

Methodology/principal findings

Conclusions/significance

Publications

The Seropositivity of Toxocara spp. Antibodies in Pregnant Women Attented at the University Hospital in Southern Brazil and the Factors Associated with Infection.

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