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Risk factors for recent toxoplasma infection in pregnant women in Naples

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

W. Buffolano ,
R. E. Gilbert ,
F. J. Holland ,
D. Fratta ,
F. Palumbo  and
A. E. Ades
W. Buffolano
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Pediatria, Federico II Medical School, Naples, Italy
R. E. Gilbert*
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH
F. J. Holland
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH
D. Fratta
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Pediatria, Federico II Medical School, Naples, Italy
F. Palumbo
Affiliation:
Regional Health Policy Office, Assessorato Sanita Regione Campania, Naples, Italy
A. E. Ades
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH
*
* Author for correspondence.
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Summary

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Effective primary prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis requires up to date information on locally relevant risk factors for infection in pregnant women. In Naples, risk factors for toxoplasma infection were compared in recently infected women (as assessed by detection of specific IgM in serum) and susceptible, IgG negative women. Recent infection was strongly associated with frequency of consumption of cured pork and raw meat. Eating cured pork or raw meat at least once a month increased the risk of toxoplasma infection threefold.

This simple study design for determining locally relevant sources of toxoplasma infection is the first report of cured pork as a risk factor for infection. Further research is required to determine cyst viability in cured pork products. Our findings suggest that in southern Italy, cured pork and raw meat should be avoided by susceptible pregnant women.

Type
Special Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 116 , Issue 3 , June 1996 , pp. 347 - 351
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

References

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