Portugal and Angola: similarities and differences inToxoplasma gondiiseroprevalence and risk factors in pregnant women
SUMMARYIn this study we determined the presence of IgM/IgG antibodies toToxoplasma gondiiin sera of 155 and 300 pregnant women from Lisbon (Portugal) and Luanda (Angola), respectively, and evaluated the potential risk factors associated with this infection. DNA detection was performed by PCR assays targetingT. gondiiregions (RE/B1). Overall, 21·9% (10·9% IgG, 10·9% IgG/IgM) of the Lisbon women and 27·3% (23·7%, IgG, 2% IgM, 1·7% IgG/IgM) of the Luanda women had antibodies toT. gondii. Single variable and binary logistic regression analyses were conducted. Based on the latter, contacts with cats (family/friends), and having more than two births were identified as risk factors forToxoplasmainfection in Lisbon women. In Luanda, the risk factors forT. gondiiinfection suggested by the single variable analysis (outdoor contact with cats and consumption of pasteurized milk/dairy products) were not confirmed by binary logistic regression. This study shows original data from Angola, and updated data from Portugal in the study of infection byT. gondiiin pregnant women, indicating that the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasmaantibodies is high enough to alert the government health authorities and implement appropriate measures to control this infection.