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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among immigrant and native pregnant women in Eastern Spain

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Abstract

In European countries, toxoplasma antenatal screening is recommended to prevent toxoplasmosis. The seroprevalence of these infections in immigrants can be different than in native population. From February 2006 to June 2010, a cross-sectional study was carried out in all pregnant women attended at a reference unit in Elche, Spain. An enzyme immunoassay was used for detection of IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii. For each immigrant woman, one Spanish pregnant woman of the same age cared for in the same day was recruited (Spanish control group). A total of 1,627 migrant pregnant women participated in this study. The adherence to screening among migrants was 91.9% (95% CI, 90.5–93.1%), similar than that found in Spaniards (92.2%; 95% CI, 90.8–93-4%). Among migrant women, 619 were positive for IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies (41.4%; 95% CI, 38.9–43.9%), compared with 12.0% (95% CI, 10.5–13.8%) among Spaniards (odds ratio (OR), 5.2 (95% CI, 4.3–6.3). Seroprevalence in pregnant women from Latin America, northern Africa, Eastern Europe, Africa Sub-Saharan and Western Europe was higher than in the Spanish control group (OR, 5.4, 5.8, 6.5, 5.4, and 2.4, respectively; p < 0.001). No Asian pregnant woman was immune. Seroprevalence increased with increasing age in migrant pregnant women: 15–25 years, 38.2%; 26–35 years, 40.7%; and 36–45 years, 52.8%. The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in migrant pregnant women living in Spain was higher than in the native population. However, no cases were found in Asian immigrants, highlighting the importance of primary prevention of this infection in pregnant women coming from that geographic region.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the midwives of the Health Department of Hospital General Universitario de Elche for their assistance in collecting the data and samples of patients, especially to Ms. Paqui Rodrigo.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest, financial or of any other nature that may affect professional judgment in relation to this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Cami de l’Amàssera, 11, 03203, Elche, Alicante, Spain

    José M. Ramos, Sergio Padilla, Mar Masiá & Félix Gutiérrez

  2. Service of Gynecology, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Alicante, Cami de l’Amàssera, 11, 03203, Elche, Alicante, Spain

    Afredo Milla

  3. Section of Microbiology, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Alicante, Cami de l’Amàssera, 11, 03203, Elche, Alicante, Spain

    Juan C. Rodríguez

  4. Department of Clinical Medicine, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Ctra. Valencia s/n, 03550, San Juan de Alicante, Alicante, Spain

    José M. Ramos, Sergio Padilla, Mar Masiá & Félix Gutiérrez

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  1. José M. Ramos
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  2. Afredo Milla
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  3. Juan C. Rodríguez
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  4. Sergio Padilla
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  5. Mar Masiá
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  6. Félix Gutiérrez
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Correspondence to José M. Ramos.

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Ramos, J.M., Milla, A., Rodríguez, J.C. et al. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among immigrant and native pregnant women in Eastern Spain. Parasitol Res 109, 1447–1452 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-011-2393-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-011-2393-5

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