Sero-epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii and risk factors among pregnant women in Africa

Abstract Introduction Infections caused by Toxoplasma gondii is a great public health concern worldwide. Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women may result in abortion, stillbirth, or lifelong disabilities of the fetus. Serologic studies have reported various estimates for seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among African pregnant women. Estimation of the pooled seroprevalence of this infection is necessary for policy-making and target intervention. Methods We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. A rigorous literature selection was performed by using the databases of PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect for the period Jan 1, 2001, to July 31, 2019. Sero-prevalence with 95% CI was presented for each study, and point estimates and their 95% CIs of pooled seroprevalence was then calculated. Findings The search process resulted in the inclusion of a total of 36 studies in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Immunoglobulin G (IgG) in Africa was found to be 46.7% (95%CI: 37.0, 56.4). Geographical-based subgroup analysis showed that the seroprevalence of T. gondii among pregnant women was found to be 65.1% (95% CI: 44.7, 85.5), 50.2% (95% CI: 32.0, 68.3), 47.8% (95% CI: 31.7, 63.8), 38.3% (95% CI: 25.2, 51.4) and 5.8% (95% CI: 3.6, 8.1) in Central, Eastern, Northern, Western and Southern Africa respectively. The most common risk factors for T. gondii were living or contact with cat and consumption of raw vegetables or fruits. Conclusion The current systematic review and meta-analysis revealed a high seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women. There is a need to establish prevention and control measures that should be directed to educational programs. We recommend that periodic screenings for Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women should be incorporated into routine clinical care in order to avoid serious clinical complications of mother and fetus.

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The Prevalence of Malaria among Pregnant Women in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Journal of Parasitology Research ◽

10.1155/2019/8396091 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Yalewayker Tegegne ◽

Daniel Asmelash ◽

Sintayehu Ambachew ◽

Setegn Eshetie ◽

Ayenew Addisu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Prevention And Control ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Control Measures ◽

Health Concern ◽

Premature Delivery ◽

Pooled Prevalence ◽

Prevention And Control Measures ◽

And Control

Background. Malaria during pregnancy remains a major public health concern in tropical and subtropical countries. Moreover, malaria is increasingly associated with unwanted pregnancy outcomes such as an increased risk of abortion, stillbirth, premature delivery, and low-birthweight infants. Since pregnant women are most vulnerable to malaria, implementation of the appropriate prevention and control measures among this group is very important. Therefore, the current review was designed to assess the prevalence of both symptomatic and asymptomatic malaria among pregnant women in Ethiopia.Method. In this systematic review and meta-analysis we have followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. The databases used were PubMed, Google Scholar, HINARI, and Science Direct literature. Search terms used were “prevalence”, “malaria”, “pregnant women”, and “Ethiopia”. Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI) was used for critical appraisal of studies. The meta-analysis was conducted using STATA 14 software. The pooled meta-logistic regression was computed to present the pooled prevalence with a 95% confidence interval (CI).Result. Among a total of 10207 studies, seven studies were included in this analysis. The estimated pooled prevalence of malaria among pregnant women in Ethiopia was 12.72% (95% CI: 7.45, 17.98). In subgroup analysis, the prevalence of malaria showed a significant variation between asymptomatic and symptomatic cases, which was 7.83% (95% CI: 2.23, 13.43) and 17.97% (95% CI: 7.31, 28.92), respectively.Conclusion. The current systematic review and meta-analysis showed that the pooled prevalence of malaria among pregnant women was found to be relatively higher compared with the general population. Therefore, the existing prevention and control measures should be strengthen.

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Potential risk factors associated with seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women and HIV infected individuals in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

10.1371/journal.pntd.0008944 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (12) ◽

pp. e0008944

Author(s):

Zewdu Seyoum Tarekegn ◽

Haileyesus Dejene ◽

Agerie Addisu ◽

Shimelis Dagnachew

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Published Data ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

Women And Hiv

Background Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular and neurotropic apicomplexan protozoan parasite infecting almost all warm-blooded vertebrates including humans. To date in Ethiopia, no systematic study has been investigated on the overall effects of potential risk factors associated with seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women and HIV infected individuals. We intended to determine the potential risk factors (PRFs) associated with seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii from published data among pregnant women and HIV infected individuals of Ethiopia. Methodology An systematic review of the previous reports was made. We searched PubMed, Science Direct, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar for studies with no restriction on the year of publication. All references were screened independently in duplicate and were included if they presented data on at least two risk factors. Meta-analysis using the random or fixed-effects model was made to calculate the overall effects for each exposure. Results Of the 216 records identified, twenty-four reports met our eligibility criteria, with a total of 6003 individuals (4356 pregnant women and 1647 HIV infected individuals). The pooled prevalences of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were found at 72.5% (95% CI: 58.7% - 83.1%) in pregnant women and 85.7% (95% CI: 76.3% - 91.8%) in HIV infected individuals. A significant overall effect of anti-Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity among pregnant women (p < 0.05) was witnessed with age, abortion history, contact with cats, cat ownership, having knowledge about toxoplasmosis, being a housewife and having unsafe water source. Age, cat ownership, and raw meat consumption were also shown a significant effect (p < 0.05) to anti-Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity among HIV infected individuals. Conclusions This review showed gaps and drawbacks in the earlier studies that are useful to keep in mind to design accurate investigations in the future. The pooled prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies was found to be higher among pregnant women and HIV infected individuals. This suggests that thousands of immunocompromised individuals (pregnant women and HIV infected patients) are at risk of toxoplasmosis due to the sociocultural and living standards of the communities of Ethiopia. Appropriate preventive measures are needed to reduce the exposure to Toxoplasma gondii infection. Further studies to investigate important risk factors are recommended to support the development of more cost-effective preventive strategies.

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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among Iranian pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal ◽

10.26719/2018.24.5.488 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (5) ◽

pp. 488-496 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mina Malary ◽

Zeinab Hamzehgardeshi ◽

Mahmood Moosazadeh ◽

Mahdi Afshari ◽

Imaneh Ahmadi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

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Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in goats in China from 2010 to 2020: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Preventive Veterinary Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105230 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 186 ◽

pp. 105230

Author(s):

Xin-Yu Wei ◽

Qing-Long Gong ◽

Ao Zeng ◽

Wei Wang ◽

Qi Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

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Pooled estimate of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women in India: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Journal of Health Population and Nutrition ◽

10.1186/s41043-021-00253-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Angeline Jeyakumar ◽

Vidhya Shinde ◽

Reshma Ravindran

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Health Concern ◽

Study Quality ◽

Care Services ◽

Pooled Prevalence ◽

Women In India

Abstract Background Vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women is a public health concern globally. In India, individual studies report high prevalence. However, lack of national data masks the true burden. This work determined the pooled prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women in India through a systematic review of literature and meta-analysis. Methods Three different search engines yielded 15 eligible articles. Study quality was assessed by 10 different criteria and summary of study quality was categorized as per Cochrane standards. Meta-analysis was performed to estimate pooled prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among healthy pregnant women and heterogeneity among selected studies. A sample of n = 4088 was used to study the pooled prevalence among pregnant women. Results The random effects combined estimate was 32.35% (95% CI, (12.58–117.48). High heterogeneity (tau2 = 0.39, I2 = 100%) and high risk of bias was observed among the selected studies. The test for overall effect was observed to be z = 2.54(P = 0.01). Conclusion Pooled estimate > 30% emphasizes the need for screening through antenatal care services and initiate preventive measures to address the deficiency.

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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in domestic pigs raised from Cuba

Parasitology Research ◽

10.1007/s00436-021-07245-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Julio César Castillo-Cuenca ◽

Álvaro Martínez-Moreno ◽

José Manuel Diaz-Cao ◽

Angel Entrena-García ◽

Jorge Fraga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Meat Products ◽

Control Measures ◽

Health Concern ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Weaning Pigs ◽

Associated Risk Factors

AbstractA cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in pigs in the largest pork-producing region in Cuba. Serum samples from 420 pigs, including 210 sows and 210 post-weaning pigs, were tested for antibodies against T. gondii using a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected in 56 animals (13.3%, 95% CI: 10.1–16.6). A generalized estimating equations model revealed that the risk factors associated with higher seropositivity in pigs were altitude (higher in farm’s location < 250 m above sea level (masl) versus ≥ 250 masl) and age (higher in sows compared to post-weaning pigs). The results indicated that this protozoan parasite is widely distributed on pig farms in the study area, which is a public health concern since the consumption of raw or undercooked pork meat products containing tissue cysts is considered one of the main routes of T. gondii transmission worldwide. Control measures should be implemented to reduce the risk of exposure to T. gondii in pigs in Cuba.

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Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Schizophrenia Bulletin Open ◽

10.1093/schizbullopen/sgaa042 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Arjen L Sutterland ◽

David A Mounir ◽

Juul J Ribbens ◽

Bouke Kuiper ◽

Tom van Gool ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Publication Bias ◽

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Negative Symptoms ◽

Age Of Onset ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Random Effects Models ◽

Duration Of Illness ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

Abstract Schizophrenia is associated with an increased prevalence of IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii seropositivity), whereby the infection seems to precede the disorder. However, it remains unclear whether a T. gondii infection affects clinical characteristics of schizophrenia. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA guidelines examining the association between T. gondii seropositivity and severity of total, positive, or negative symptoms or age of onset in schizophrenia. PubMed, Embase, and PsycInfo were systematically searched up to June 23, 2019 (PROSPERO #CRD42018087766). Random-effects models were used for analysis. Furthermore, the influence of potential moderators was analyzed. Indications for publication bias were examined. From a total of 934 reports, 13 studies were included. No overall effect on severity of total, positive, or negative symptoms was found. However, in patients with a shorter duration of illness T. gondii seropositivity was associated with more severe positive symptoms (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.32; P < .001). Similar but smaller effects were seen for total symptoms, while it was absent for negative symptoms. Additionally, a significantly higher age of onset was found in those with T. gondii seropositivity (1.8 y, P = .015), although this last finding was probably influenced by publication bias and study quality. Taken together, these findings indicate that T. gondii infection has a modest effect on the severity of positive and total symptoms in schizophrenia among those in the early stages of the disorder. This supports the hypothesis that T. gondii infection is causally related to schizophrenia, although more research remains necessary.

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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Microbial Pathogenesis ◽

10.1016/j.micpath.2019.01.040 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 129 ◽

pp. 30-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Davood Anvari ◽

Mehdi Sharif ◽

Shahabeddin Sarvi ◽

Sargis A. Aghayan ◽

Shirzad Gholami ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

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Prevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in certified and non-certified pig breeding farms in the Toledo microregion, PR, Brazil

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612010000300005 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 152-156 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Piassa Franciele Rossandra ◽

Jacqueline Baptista de Araújo ◽

Ronaldo César da Rosa ◽

Rodrigo José Mattei ◽

Rodrigo Costa da Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Human Infection ◽

Control Measures ◽

Rodent Control ◽

Reproductive Disorders ◽

Toxoplasma Infection ◽

Pork Products ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽

Breeding Farms

Toxoplasma gondii infection has been diagnosed in pigs all over the world. Economical losses are generally related to reproductive disorders. Toxoplasma infection is also a matter of public health because tissue cysts of the parasite may remain in pork and pork products, and become sources of human infection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma infection in certified and non-certified pig breeding farms in the Toledo microregion, in the State of Paraná, Brazil which includes the cities of Toledo, Nova Santa Rosa, Sao José das Palmeiras and Sao Pedro do Iguaçu. Relative frequency of infection was 13.4%, independently of the type of farm. Logistic regression analysis showed that the following factors were associated with infection: absence of workers exclusive for each area of the farm, access of other animals to feeders and drinkers, lack of lids in drinkers, lack of rodent control measures, mean piglet number and weight at weaning per female.

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