Soroprevalência de Toxoplasma gondii e fatores de risco associados em uma população rural de origem germânica no sul do Brasil

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii protozoan, is a disease widespread throughout the world and highly prevalent particularly in regions with hot and humid weather. It is a zoonosis of major public health significance, and it may cause infection in all warm-blooded animals, fish and shellfish. The seroprevalence varies even among populations of nearby locations, and so it is important to conduct regional studies to permit the preparation of specific and effective measures for the control of the zoonosis. This variation is determined by the habits and customs of the inhabitants of each region, and it is also influenced by climatic and geographic factors and types of jobs. In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, there are regions of Germanic settlement, whose population keeps its eating and cultural habits preserved. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of T. gondii in a German population in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul and to correlate with the major risk factors, including consumption of raw and smoked meats from anseriforms such as ducks, geeses and pork. Epidemiological questionnaire was applied, and it was done collections of venous blood samples of 350 individuals registered at the health center in the rural community the municipality of São Lourenço do Sul - RS. This is the first study on the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in the rural population of German origin in Brazil.The serologic tests for T. gondii were done through the Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay, according to Camargo (1964), with a cutoff of 1:32 for IgG and 1:8 IgM. The seroprevalence of T. gondii in the studied population was 75.1%, with titers ranging from 32 to 16,380. No case of acute illness or recent infection (IgM positive) was diagnosed. It was found that the habit of tasting the flavor of raw meat increases 2.45 times the chance of infection by the protozoan of these people. Over 90% of the respondents usually consume artisanal sausages and typical smoked meat dishes, drink untreated water, have contact with the ground, do not properly sanitize fruits and vegetables, handle raw meat and have cats around the house, which may explain the higher seroprevalence than in other population groups in the region. This is the first study on the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in the rural population of German origin in Brazil.