Soroepidemiologia da toxoplasmose em estudantes de nível secundário na área metropolitana de Guadalajara, Jalisco, México

AIMS: To determine the prevalence of specific antibodies and the associated risk factors for toxoplasmosis in students attending high-shool in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. METHODS: Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG and IgM antibodies were detected by using a home-made indirect immunofluorescence antibodies test. Socio-demographic variables and risk factors were recorded. The correlation was measured by Odds Ratio (95% CI), using Chi-square or Fischer test for statistical significance. RESULTS: Blood samples from 174 randomly recruited students were collected. The age range was 14 to 25 years old. In terms of gender, 65 (37%) were male and 109 (63%) were female. Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG and IgM antibodies were 17.8% and 4.6%, respectively. We did not find statistically significant differences due to age or gender. From the risk factors studied, the consumption of undercooked meat associated to Toxoplasma gondii specific IgG antibodies was X2 = 18.0, p< 0.0001, O.R=10.9, IC (2.9-40.3). Other variables were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii specific IgG and IgM antibodies were 17.8% and 4.6%, respectively. Students who had consumed undercooked meat had a 10.9 times greater risk of acquiring Toxoplasma gondii infection.OBJETIVOS: Determinar la prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-Toxoplasma y factores de riesgo asociados para toxoplasmosis en estudiantes de bachillerato en Zapopan, Jalisco, México. MÉTODOS: Los anticuerpos IgG e IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii fueron determinados usando el método de inmunofluorescencia indirecta realizado en nuestro laboratorio y previamente estandarizado. Variables socio-demográficas y factores de riesgo para toxoplasmosis fueron analizados y correlacionados con la presencia de anticuerpos. La correlación fue realizada mediante razón de momios con un intervalo de confianza del 95%. Fueron utilizados Chi cuadrada ó significancia estadística de Fischer. RESULTADOS: Fueron determinados los anticuerpos en 174 estudiantes. El rango de edad fue de 14 a 25 años. La distribución de género correspondió 65 (37%) al genero masculino y 109 (63%) al femenino. La prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-Toxoplasma fue de 17.8% para IgG y 5.6% con IgM. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas con relación a edad y genero. De los factores de riesgo para toxoplasmosis en el grupo estudiado, el consumo de carne mal cocida se encontró asociado con la presencia de anticuerpos IgG con un valor de Chi cuadrada (X2) )=18.0, p< 0.0001 O.R=10.9, IC (2.9-40.3). Otras variables no fueron estadísticamente significativas. CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-Toxoplasma clase IgG fue de 17.8% y 5.6% a IgM. Los estudiantes que consumían carne mal cocida tuvieron 10.9 veces mayor riesgo para adquirir la infección por Toxoplasma gondii

Analysis of Toxoplasma gondii antigens with sera from toxoplasmosis patients Análise de antígenos de Toxoplasma gondii em soros de pacientes com toxoplasmose

Some proteins of the Toxoplasma gondii are recognized by IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies in patients with acute and chronic toxoplasmosis, depending on the strain and stage of the Toxoplasma. Sixty-nine sera from immunocompetent individuals were studied through the Western-Blot Test: 20 has an acute infection, 29 has a chronic toxoplasmosis infection and 20 were healthy (seronegatives). The protein analysis revealed by IgG and IgM antibodies were performed through the Immunoplot method in order to know their recognition frequency (f) and be valued as infection markers. In the acute phase, the IgM antibodies showed a recognition frequency (f = 0.60) for the 60kDa protein, and in the chronic phase the IgG antibodies showed a recognition frequency (f = 0.68) for the 12kDa protein. Seronegatives revealed no type of band. The protein of 12kDa can be a diagnostic marker of the chronic phase while protein 60kDa of the acute phase of toxoplasmosis.<br>Demonstrou-se que algumas proteínas do Toxoplasma gondii são reconhecidas pelos anticorpos IgG, IgM e IgA em pacientes com toxoplasmose aguda e crônica. A cepa e o estágio do protozoário interferem na diferença. Sessenta e nove soros de indivíduos imunocompetentes foram submetidos à pesquisa de anticorpos pela técnica de Western-Blot, sendo 20 dos soros provenientes de pacientes com infecção aguda e 29 de infecção crônica de toxoplasmose e 20 sem doença (soronegativos). A análise das proteínas reveladas pelos anticorpos IgG e IgM foi feita pelo método de Inmunoplot com a finalidade de se conhecer a freqüência de reconhecimento (f), e serem valorizados como marcadores de infecção. Na fase aguda os anticorpos IgM apresentaram uma freqüência de reconhecimento (f = 0.60) para a proteína de 60kDa. Na fase crônica, os anticorpos IgG apresentaram (f = 0.68) para a proteína de 12kDa. Soronegativos não revelaram nenhuma informação. A proteína de 12kDa pode ser um marcador diagnóstico da fase crônica, e a proteína de 60kDa pode ser um marcador diagnóstico da fase aguda da toxoplasmose