Parasitology Research
Volume 103, Issue 1, 2008, Pages 67-74

Seroprevalence and sources of Toxoplasma infection among indigenous and immigrant pregnant women in Taiwan (Article)

Lin Y.-L. , Liao Y.-S. , Liao L.-R. , Chen F.-N. , Kuo H.-M. , He S.*
  • a Department of Parasitology, China Medical University School of Medicine, Taichung, Taiwan
  • b Department of Epidemiology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  • c Health Bureau, Nantou County Government, Nantou, Taiwan
  • d Department of Social Medicine, China Medical University School of Medicine, Taichung, Taiwan
  • e Department of Parasitology, China Medical University School of Medicine, Taichung, Taiwan
  • f Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, 70 Lien-Hai Road, 804 Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Abstract

Investigation on seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infections among indigenous and immigrant pregnant women in Mid-Taiwan showed that anti Taxoplasma-specific IgG antibody counts were significantly higher in indigenes (40.6%) than in immigrants (18.2%), with an odds ratio of OR = 3.34 (95% CI: 1.93-4.80). The titre of Taxoplasma-specific IgG was also significantly higher in indigenes than in immigrants (P < 0.001). Differences of living styles for Toxoplasma infection between the two groups were drinking untreated water (OR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.36-4.02), consumption of raw/undercooked meats (OR = 10.11 95% CI: 4.92-20.78), especially raw/undercooked pork (P = 0.000), or raw/undercooked viscera (OR = 9.16, 95% CI: 2.97-27.94), contact with cats (OR = 5.69, 95% CI: 2.83-11.47), or soil (OR = 2.55 95% CI: 1.72-3.80). Differences of risk factors for Toxoplasma infection in terms of positive IgG in the two groups were consumption of raw/undercooked meats (P = 0.005) especially raw/undercooked pork (P = 0.004), and contact with cats (P = 0.013) or soil (P = 0.028). It is concluded that seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection is higher in indigenous pregnant women and related to their living styles. To prevent congenital toxoplasmosis, health education seems required. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

immigrant lifestyle Toxoplasma gondii Toxoplasmosis indigenous people Toxoplasma human middle aged Population Groups controlled study priority journal Animals Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic raw food Taiwan statistical significance Confidence interval Humans Adolescent Emigrants and Immigrants female risk factor Risk Factors newborn pregnancy Article antibody specificity major clinical study adult immunoglobulin G antibody pregnant woman food preservation seroprevalence immunoglobulin G Seroepidemiologic Studies Drinking Water immunoglobulin M
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-43049148281&doi=10.1007%2fs00436-008-0928-1&partnerID=40&md5=687a984f0836fdba708dae5bba187844
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-008-0928-1
ISSN: 09320113
Cited by: 32
Original Language: English