Investigation on seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infections among neonates in Fujian Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infections among neonates in Fujian Province, so as to provide insights into the development of interventions for the prevention and control of congenital toxoplasmosis. Methods A total of 1 045 neonates delivered in Fujian Province from 2017 to 2018 were recruited, including 387 preterm infants and 658 full-term infants. Umbilical cord blood was sampled from all neonates, and the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody was detected and compared between preterm and full-term infants. In addition, elbow venous blood samples were collected from neonates’mothers, and the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody was detected and compared between preterm and full-term infants’mothers. Results The overall seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody was 9.38% among the 1 045 neonates in Fujian Province. The seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody was 18.35% in the 387 preterm infants, and there was no significant difference in the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody between male and female infants (17.69% vs. 18.75%, χ2 = 0.07, P > 0.05). The seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody was 4.10% in the 658 full-term infants, and there was no significant difference in the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody between male and female infants (4.14% vs. 4.08%, χ2 = 0, P > 0.05). In addition, the overall seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody was 15.02% in all neonates’ mothers, and the seroprevalence was significantly greater in preterm infants’mothers than in full-term infant’s mothers (20.93% vs. 11.55%, χ2 = 16.79, P < 0.01). Conclusions The seroprevalence of T. gondii infections is significantly higher in preterm infants and their mothers than in full-term infants and their mothers. Prenatal detection of T. gondii infections and health education pertaining to toxoplasmosis prevention and control knowledge are required to be strengthened to effectively reduce the incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis.