title: Seroprevalence and sources of Toxoplasma infection among indigenous and immigrant pregnant women in Taiwan.
abstract: Investigation on seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infections among indigenous and immigrant pregnant women in Mid-Taiwan showed that anti Taxoplasma-specific IgG antibody counts were significantly higher in indigenes (40.6%) than in immigrants (18.2%), with an odds ratio of OR=3.34 (95% CI: 1.93-4.80). The titre of Taxoplasma-specific IgG was also significantly higher in indigenes than in immigrants (P<0.001). Differences of living styles for Toxoplasma infection between the two groups were drinking untreated water (OR=2.34, 95% CI: 1.36-4.02), consumption of raw/undercooked meats (OR=10.11 95% CI: 4.92-20.78), especially raw/undercooked pork (P=0.000), or raw/undercooked viscera (OR=9.16, 95% CI: 2.97-27.94), contact with cats (OR=5.69, 95% CI: 2.83-11.47), or soil (OR=2.55 95% CI: 1.72-3.80). Differences of risk factors for Toxoplasma infection in terms of positive IgG in the two groups were consumption of raw/undercooked meats (P=0.005) especially raw/undercooked pork (P=0.004), and contact with cats (P=0.013) or soil (P=0.028). It is concluded that seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection is higher in indigenous pregnant women and related to their living styles. To prevent congenital toxoplasmosis, health education seems required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, China Medical University School of Medicine, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ya-Ling
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yen-Shun
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Long-Ren
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Fei-Na
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hsiu-Maan
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Shiping
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: He
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D044382:Population Groups; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M