Aspectos epidemiológicos da toxoplasmose em gestantes atendidas nas unidades básicas de saúde do município de Santa Cruz-RN

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis present worldwide with the ability to target any homeothermic animal, including humans. This disease is particularly serious in immunocompromised and pregnant women. Primary infection in pregnant women is usually asymptomatic and Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of the disease, can cross the placenta, infecting the fetus, causing retinocoriditis, hydrocephalus, mental retardation, seizures or even fetal death. Due to the importance of toxoplasmosis in public health, this study aimed to characterize the epidemiological aspects of T. gondii infection in pregnant women attended at the basic health units (BHUs) of the city of Santa Cruz-RN, as well as to investigate the risk factors associated with this infection, including individual, behavioral and socioeconomic factors. In this study, 184 pregnant women were evaluated and the serological results for IgG and IgM antibodies specific for T. gondii were obtained by ELISA and Electrochemiluminescence. The prevalence found was 28.8% in the pregnant women attending the UBSs of the city, showing that 71.1% of the women are still susceptible to infection. Of the 6 analyzed areas, the neighborhoods Maracujá and Paraiso presented a higher percentage of pregnant women with positive IgG serology when compared to the other neighborhoods. When only women with IgG negative serology (susceptible) were observed during the first gestation and at reproductive age, it was verified that they were present in greater number, characterizing vulnerability to infection during a possible later pregnancy. It was also observed that professions / occupations that possibly expose them continuously to risk factors for illness and habits such as poor meat consumption, gardening practices, consumption of water directly from tap and salad without knowledge about the origin of hygiene were practical among the pregnant women evaluated. The presence of a fully or partially enclosed water reservoir is proving to be a protective factor for infection in this group. Therefore, given the high number of women of reproductive age at risk for toxoplasmosis in the municipality, exposed to factors that contribute to infection, it is necessary to implement prevention and screening programs, especially during pregnancy.