title: High Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection in Female Sex Workers: A Case-Control Study.
abstract: Through an age- and sex-matched case-control study, we sought to determine whether female sex workers have an increased risk of Toxoplasma gondii exposure and to determine the sociodemographic, work, clinical, and behavioral characteristics of these workers associated with T. gondii exposure. Female workers (n = 136) and controls (n = 272) were examined with enzyme-linked immunoassays (EIA) for the presence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies. IgM positive sera were additionally tested with enzyme linked-fluorescence immunoassay (ELFA). Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were found in 21 (15.44%) of 136 cases and in 10 (3.67%) of 272 controls (OR = 4.05; 95% CI: 1.84-8.89; P = 0.0001). Anti-T. gondii IgG levels higher than 150 IU/ml were found in 13 (9.6%) of 136 cases and in 8 (2.9%) of 272 controls (P = 0.007). Anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were found in two cases and in six controls by EIA, but all were negative by ELFA. T. gondii seropositivity was associated with being born out of Durango State (OR = 10.47; 95% CI: 2.9-36.8; P < 0.01), injuries during sex work (OR = 6.30; 95% CI: 1.1-33.7; P = 0.03), and soil contact (OR = 4.11; 95% CI: 1.2-14.0; P = 0.02). This is the first report of an association of T. gondii infection and female sex workers.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N , 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico.
authors.forename: Cosme
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alvarado-Esquivel
authors.affiliation: Institute for Scientific Research "Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm", Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N , 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico.
authors.forename: Luis Francisco
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Anguiano
authors.affiliation: Institute for Scientific Research "Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm", Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N , 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico.
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hernández-Tinoco
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Sanitary Inspection , Durango, Mexico.
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arreola-Cháidez
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Sanitary Inspection , Durango, Mexico.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: López
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Sanitary Inspection , Durango, Mexico.
authors.forename: Karla Itzel
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Salcido-Meraz
authors.affiliation: Institute for Scientific Research "Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm", Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N , 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Estrada-Martínez
authors.affiliation: Institute for Scientific Research "Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm", Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N , 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico.
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Navarrete-Flores
authors.affiliation: Institute for Scientific Research "Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm", Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N , 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico.
authors.forename: Alma Rosa
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Pérez-Álamos
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Sanitary Inspection , Durango, Mexico.
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hernández-Ochoa
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N , 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico ; General Hospital, Secretary of Health, Avenida 5 de febrero 220 , 34000 Durango, Mexico.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rábago-Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité Medical School , Hindenburgdamm 27, D-12203 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Liesenfeld
keywords: Toxoplasma gondii; case-control study; female sex workers; risk factors; seroprevalence