Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies and associated risk factors among pregnant women consulted in three health centers in Dschang, Cameroon

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan responsible for one of the most common congenital infections in the world. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis in pregnant women consulted in three health centers in the city of Dschang. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional study that was conducted, with a total of 242 participants. A questionnaire was administered after obtaining the free and informed consent of the participants. Blood sample was collected to assay IgG and IgM antibodies specific to Toxoplasma gondii using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, and potential risk factors were evaluated with the administration questionnaire using a binary logistic regression model. Statistical significance was measured at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was 82.7%,with a seroprevalence of toxoplasma IgG of 62.8% (152), that of IgM at 11.6% (28) and that of IgG/IgM at 8.3% (20). The Saint Vincent Paul Hospital had a seroprevalence of 43.8% IgG and 8.7% IgM; followed by the Dschang District Hospital (11.6% IgG and 2.1% IgM). The seroprevalence of toxoplasma IgG (35.5%) and IgM (6.2%) was higher in multiparous pregnant women, and in the group of women who performed their first toxoplasmosis serology in the first trimester of pregnancy, 70 (28.9%), 9 (3.7%) respectively for IgG and IgM. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the possession of a cat at home or its presence in the neighborhood, the consumption of undercooked or uncooked meat and having a history of blood transfusion were found to be statistically significant risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis seroprevalence among pregnant women. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed a high seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis. Given this high seroprevalence, screening for toxoplasmosis in women of childbearing age should be encouraged.