Fatores de risco e prevalência de anticorpos anti-Toxocara spp. em gestantes atendidas pelo sistema único de saúde, em Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brasil

Abstract

Toxocariasis is a cosmopolitan and endemic parasitic anthropozoonosis in many parts of the world and is most prevalent in vulnerable populations. The disease occurs primarily in children. The prevalence of anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies in pregnant women had been studied previously, but knowledge of risk factors in pregnant women according to age is limited. The objective of the study was to compare the prevalence of anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies and risk factors for toxocariasis among pregnant women treated in public health facilities in Presidente Prudente, a municipality in South-East Brazil. A total of 280 pregnant women (71 adolescents, 209 adults) took part in the study. Participants completed a socioeconomic questionnaire and serum anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies were measured using indirect ELISA, using TES (Excretory-secretory antigens of T. canis). The overall prevalence was 20.7%, and was significantly higher in adolescents (33.8%) than adults (16.3%) (OR: 2.63; 95% CI: 1.42–4.86, p=0.003). Contact with soil and gestational age were risk factors in adolescents, while the education level was a risk factor in adults. Despite serology may persist up to 5 years, adolescents were 2.6-fold more exposed than adults. Adolescents were also more likely seropositive due to soil contact and late pregnancy, while adults to education level. Clustering of variable age has shown the highest difference between serology groups at 25-26 years. Adolescent (young) pregnant women should be always monitored for toxocariasis and correspondent clinical signs, particularly at late pregnancy. The results may contribute for elaborating educational programs on toxocariasis for pregnant women.