Introduction:

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. It poses a risk of severe disease in fetuses infected during pregnancy, potentially causing ocular, visceral, or intracranial lesions, with serious long-term sequelae.

Objectives:

To determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in women of childbearing age who attended public health centers in Asunción and the metropolitan area of Paraguay.

Materials and methods:

This was a retrospective, cross-sectional and observational study. Databases from the laboratory of the XVIII Health Region, which encompasses 40 Family Health Units, the San Pablo, Trinidad, and Loma Pyta maternal and child hospitals, and the Institute of Tropical Medicine were reviewed. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM (IgM) levels were measured in women aged 15 to 45 years, between January 2021 and April 2023. Immunoglobulin levels were measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA). The population was stratified into age groups of 15 to 25, 26 to 35, and 36 to 45 years. Women with positive IgG and negative IgM were considered immune, while those with negative IgG and IgM were considered non-immune.

Results:

28,708 IgG and IgM records for toxoplasmosis were reviewed during the study period, of which 17,330 (60%) showed positive IgG and negative IgM. By age group, 7,088 (54%) women aged 15 to 25 years, 7,492 (63%) aged 26 to 35 years, and 2,750 (72%) aged 36 to 45 years showed immunity, with a significant increase in immune women observed with age (p<0.01). Fifty-five (1.9‰) women with negative IgG and positive IgM were identified, of whom 27 (1‰) showed seroconversion. Additionally, 849 (3%) women had positive IgG and IgM.

Conclusion:

The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in women of childbearing age attending public health centers in Asunción and the metropolitan area of Paraguay is high and increases with age.

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