INTRODUCTION: : The impact of gestational toxocariasis is an understudied topic on female reproductive health. We estimated anti-Toxocara IgG prevalence among pregnant women in Brasília, Brazil, and investigated the association of the infection with history of abortion and contact with pets. METHODS: : Infection was diagnosed using ELISA with excretory/secretory antigens. Participant information was obtained via questionnaires. RESULTS: : Of 311 pregnant women, 23 were anti-Toxocara IgG positive. Twenty-two percent of anti-Toxocara IgG-positive participants and 26% had previously miscarried. Previous contact with pets was associated with higher toxocariasis prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: : A direct relationship between toxocariasis and contact with pets was observed, but there was no relationship with the miscarriage prevalence.
INTRODUCTION: : The impact of gestational toxocariasis is an understudied topic on female reproductive health. We estimated anti-Toxocara IgG prevalence among pregnant women in Brasília, Brazil, and investigated the association of the infection with history of abortion and contact with pets. METHODS: : Infection was diagnosed using ELISA with excretory/secretory antigens. Participant information was obtained via questionnaires. RESULTS: : Of 311 pregnant women, 23 were anti-Toxocara IgG positive. Twenty-two percent of anti-Toxocara IgG-positive participants and 26% had previously miscarried. Previous contact with pets was associated with higher toxocariasis prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: : A direct relationship between toxocariasis and contact with pets was observed, but there was no relationship with the miscarriage prevalence.
Authors: Pedro Paulo Chieffi; Susana Angelica Zevallos Lescano; Gabriela Rodrigues E Fonseca; Sergio Vieira Dos Santos Journal: Res Rep Trop Med Date: 2021-05-19