Socioeconomic conditions as determining factors in the prevalence of systemic and ocular toxoplasmosis in Northeastern Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of systemic and ocular toxoplasmosis among 1024 students in the city of Natal, Northeastern Brazil, and correlate it with demographic, socioeconomic and epidemiological risk factors.


METHODS
The study population was randomly selected, asked to fill out a questionnaire, provide a blood sample for IgG and IgM (MEIA) serology and a hemogram, and undergo an eye examination.


RESULTS
The seroprevalence for IgG was 46% (95% CI = 42.9-49.2%) and that for IgM was 1.4% (95% CI = 0.8-2.4%). The prevalence of ocular lesions was 1.15% (95% CI = 0.6-2.0%). In the univariate analyses, confirmed by multivariate analysis, the socioeconomic conditions were determinants in the prevalence of systemic and ocular toxoplasmosis (mother's schooling = literacy/OR = 2.9 and p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of systemic toxoplasmosis, although high, was lower than that found in studies performed in the South and Southeast of Brazil, and the incidence of ocular lesions was totally different, being lower by a factor varying from 5 to 17. Although important epidemiological variables, such as owning a cat, drinking unfiltered water or having had contact with lakes or rivers, were found to be correlated with toxoplasmosis in the preliminary analysis, they lost their influence when included in the logistic model. However, further studies must be undertaken to identify the reasons for these findings, including the determination of the strains of Toxoplasma gondii encountered in different regions of the country and the sources of the water utilized by these populations.
de Amorim Garcia
Carlos Alexandre
CA
Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Rua Ceará Mirim, 316 Tirol, Natal/RN, Brazil. prontoc.de.olhos@digi.com.br
Oréfice
Fernando
F
de Oliveira Lyra
Clélia
C
Gomes
Alexandre Bezerra
AB
França
Mardone
M
de Amorim Garcia Filho
Carlos Alexandre
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014126:Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan