Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Women of Reproductive Age: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Northwestern Mexican City

Through a cross-sectional survey, we determined the seroprevalence and correlates of ( ) infection in women of reproductive age in Hermosillo City, Mexico. We studied 445 women of reproductive age in Hermosillo City in the northwestern Mexican state of Sonora. Women were enrolled in the University of Sonora. Sera of women were examined for IgG and IgM antibodies to by commercially available enzyme immunoassays. The association of seropositivity with the characteristics of the pregnant women was determined by bivariate and multivariate analyses. Of the 445 women (mean age: 22.18 ± 5.6 years) studied, 16 (3.6%) had IgG antibodies to , and two (12.5%) were also positive for IgM antibodies to . Of the 16 anti- IgG-positive women, six (37.5%) had IgG levels higher than 150 IU/mL, four (25.0%) between 100 and 150 IU/mL, and six (37.5%) between 9 and 99 IU/mL. Multivariate analysis of socio-demographic and behavioral variables showed that seropositivity was associated with older age (odds ratio (OR): 5.30; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.37 - 20.50; P = 0.01) and boar meat consumption (OR: 6.86; 95% CI: 1.27 - 37.07; P = 0.02). Women of reproductive age in Hermosillo City had a low seroprevalence of infection. However, this finding indicates that most of these women were susceptible to a primary infection. Factors associated with infection found in this study may be useful for the optimal planning of preventive measures against infection and its sequelae.