ABSTRACT
The goal of this study was to investigate the importance of IgG avidity testing in newborns (NBs) diagnosed with early congenital toxoplasmosis. We collected samples from 88 puerperae infected by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and their NBs (48 acutely-infected puerperae (AIP) and 40 chronically-infected puerperae (CIP)), from two public maternity hospitals in Goiania city, Goias, Brazil, from 2010 to 2015. Specific anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG serum levels and IgG avidity tests were evaluated using chemiluminescence. Congenital toxoplasmosis was observed in 66.66% (n = 32) of NBs with AIP, 94.1% presenting low avidity (LA) and 51.61% presenting high avidity (HA) test results. The IgG and IgM levels of NBs with LA and their puerperae were higher in comparison with HA NBs and puerperae (p = 0.0001). The avidity tests showed 100% specificity and 50% sensitivity (p = 0.0001). NBs with LA had a 15-fold increased risk of developing congenital toxoplasmosis in comparison with HA NBs. The IgG avidity test could be used to assist in early congenital toxoplasmosis diagnoses in NBs and LA, identifying a greater probability of vertical transmission.
ABSTRACT
O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o valor preditivo do teste de avidez de IgG no diagnóstico precoce da toxoplasmose congênita (TC) no recém-nascido (RN). O grupo de estudo foi constituído por 68 pares de puérperas e seus RN, sendo 43 com toxoplasmose aguda durante a gravidez e 25 com IgM negativo para Toxoplasma gondii (grupo controle). As pacientes pariram os RN na Maternidade do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Goiás. Foram avaliados os níveis séricos de IgM e IgG anti-T. gondii e avidez de IgG. Os RN do grupo de estudo foram divididos em RN com baixa avidez (BA) e RN com elevada avidez (EA). Foi verificada a concordância do teste de avidez dos RN e das puérperas. A infecção pelo T. gondii foi observada em 94,1% dos RN com BA e 42,3% dos RN com EA. Os níveis de IgG e de IgM dos RN com BA e de suas puérperas infectadas foram elevados e apresentaram diferença quando comparados com os RN com EA (p=0,0001) e os RN não infectados (p=0,0001) e suas respectivas puérperas. A sintomatologia da TC foi observada em 56% dos RN com BA e em 18% dos RN com EA. Nossos dados mostram que RN com BA apresentaram aumento de IgM e IgG e sintomas severos da TC. Assim, o teste de avidez poderia ser utilizado em conjunto com a detecção de IgM e IgG no diagnóstico precoce da TC no RN
Subject(s)
Toxoplasmosis, Congenital , Immunoglobulin G , DiagnosisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Studies on sexually transmitted infections in Brazil are done mainly in large metropolises and screening is available for pregnant women only. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Treponema pallidum infection among young non-pregnant women in non-clinical settings in middle-sized cities of Central Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional community-based sample of 1072 participants was included. Sexually active women (64.9%) provided first-catch urine samples for PCR investigation of chlamydial and gonococcal infection. Syphilis was tested in serum. Univariate analysis investigated risk factors for chlamydial infection. Multivariate logistic regression included associations with a p-value <0.20. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 18 years; 73.2% reported unprotected intercourse, 37.6% were married/cohabiting, and 5% reported a previous STI. Prevalence rates of C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, and T. pallidum were 9.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.4-12.4%), 0.7% (95% CI 0.2-1.9%), and 0.15% (95% CI 0.0-0.7%), respectively. After adjustments, being <20 years old (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.90, 95% CI 1.07-3.37) and having three or more lifetime sexual partners (aOR 2.57, 95% CI 1.46-4.53) were associated with the risk for chlamydial infection. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a high prevalence of chlamydial infection and sexual risk behaviors in this population. These findings are important to guide screening strategies in Brazil.
