title: Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women from the State of Tocantins, Northern Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of infection by Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in pregnant women in Tocantins, Northern Brazil were assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serological analysis was performed in 338 serum samples and an oral questionnaire was utilized to identify potential risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anti-IgG antibodies against T. gondii were detected in 71% (240/338) of the pregnant women. Prior contact with cats and meat handling were found to be associated with T. gondii infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A considerable percentage (29%) of women living in the Tocantins area remain susceptible to infection by the T. gondii protozoon, representing a serious public health risk.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto Tocantinense Presidente Antônio Carlos, Araguaína, Tocantins, Brazil.
authors.forename: Élvio Machado da
authors.initials: ÉM
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos Wilson Gomes
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael Antonio Nascimento
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leucio Câmara
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Alves
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002415:Cats; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M