ABSTRACT
Aims: To determine the prevalence of specific antibodies and the associated risk factors for toxoplasmosis in students attending high-shool in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. Methods: Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG and IgM antibodies were detected by using a home-made indirect immunofluorescence antibodies test. Socio-demographic variables and risk factors were recorded. The correlation was measured by Odds Ratio (95% CI), using Chi-square or Fischer test for statistical significance. Results: Blood samples from 174 volunteer students were collected. The age range was 14 to 25 years old, and 109 (63%) were female. Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG and IgM antibodies were 17.8% and 4.6%, respectively. We did not find statistically significant differences due to age or gender. From the risk factors studied, the only significant association was found between T.gondii-specific IgG antibodies and the consumption of undercooked meat. Seven out of 11 (63.6%) students who consumed undercooked meat were IgG positive, compared with 22/159 (13.8%) who did not have this habit (OR 10.8, 95%CI 2.9-40.4). Other variables were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii specific IgG and IgM antibodies were 17.8% and 4.6%, respectively. Students who had consumed undercooked meat had a 10.8 times greater risk of acquiring Toxoplasma gondii infection.
Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-Toxoplasma y factores de riesgo asociados para toxoplasmosis en estudiantes de bachillerato en Zapopan, Jalisco, México. Métodos: Los anticuerpos IgG e IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii fueron determinados usando el método de inmunofluorescencia indirecta realizado en nuestro laboratorio y previamente estandarizado. Variables socio-demográficas y factores de riesgo para toxoplasmosis fueron analizados y correlacionados con la presencia de anticuerpos. La correlación fue realizada mediante razón de momios con un intervalo de confianza del 95%. Fueron utilizados Chi cuadrada ó significancia estadística de Fischer. Resultados: Fueron determinados los anticuerpos en 174 estudiantes. El rango de edad fue de 14 a 25 años y 109 (63%) correspondió al género femenino. La prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-Toxoplasma fue de 17,8% para IgG y 4,6% para IgM. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas con relación a edad y genero. De los factores de riesgo estudiados, la asociación entre anticuerpos anti-Toxoplasma clase IgG y el consumo de carne poco cocida fue la única significativa. Siete de cada 11 (63,6%) los estudiantes que consumieron carne mal cocida IgG-positivos, en comparación con 22/159 (13,8%) que no tenían este hábito (odds ratio: 10,8, intervalo de confianza del 95%: 2,9-40,4). Otras variables no fueron estadísticamente significativas. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-Toxoplasma clase IgG fue de 17,8% y 4,6% a IgM. Los estudiantes que consumían carne mal cocida tuvieron 10,8 veces mayor riesgo para adquirir la infección por Toxoplasma gondii.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Protozoan , Students , Risk Factors , Immunoglobulin G , Immunoglobulin M , Toxoplasmosis/epidemiology , Toxoplasmosis/prevention & control , Mexico/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Objetivos: fazer uma revisão dos aspectos básicos da ultraestrutura do taquizoíto de Toxoplasma gondii, agente etiológico da toxoplasmose. Fonte de dados: os dados apresentados tomam como referência resultados recentes obtidos pelos principais grupos de pesquisadores no mundo, que se dedicam ao estudo do Toxoplasma gondii, incluindo-se dados do próprio grupo de autores. Síntese dos dados: os taquizoítos de Toxoplasma gondii são responsáveis pela fase aguda da infecção, penetrando ativamente, através do complexo apical, em células dos hospedeiros onde se multiplicam. São abordadas características ultraestruturais e moleculares particulares da película, do citoesqueleto, de organelas secretórias (róptrias, micronemas e grânulos densos) e não secretórias (apicoplasto) exclusivas do filo Apicomplexa, além das peculiaridades do núcleo, mitocôndria, acidocalcisomas, retículo endoplasmático e complexo de Golgi desses parasitos intracelulares. Conclusões: estas características confirmam que o sucesso nas etapas de adesão, invasão e multiplicação do parasito possui clara correlação com suas características morfofuncionais.
Aims: To review basic aspects on the ultrastructure of the tachyzoite of Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis. Source of data: The data presented are based on recent publications by the most distinguished research groups in the area dedicated to the study of Toxoplasma gondii, including studies from the present authors. Summary of findings: The tachyzoites are responsible for the acute phase of the infection by actively penetrating, through the parasites? apical complex, the host cells where they multiply. Both ultrastructural and molecular particularities of the pellicle, the cytoskeleton, secretory (rhoptries, micronemas and dense granules) and non secretory (apicoplast) organelles, specific to Apicomplexa phylum, besides peculiar features of the nucleus, mitochondrion, acidocalcisomes, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex of these intracellular parasites. Conclusions: These characteristics confirm that the success in the process of adhesion, invasion and multiplication of this parasite is clearly correlated to its morphology.