Prevalence of IgM and IgG anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in university students from the Biological Sciences Course, Pontal do Triângulo Mineiro

Main Article Content

Isadora Paula Franco dos Santos
Ana Flávia Santos Silva Marinho
César Gómez-Hernández
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2792-8485
Cristhianne Molinero Ratkevicius Andrade
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3469-0022
Virmondes Rodrigues
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8706-4223
Karine Rezende-Oliveira
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1220-6052

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the presence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgG in the serum of Biological Sciences students at the Federal University of Uberlândia, Pontal campus. Methods: Cross-sectional prevalence study with data collection was conducted between June 2017 and February 2018. Indirect immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques were used, and semi-structured questionnaires were used to assess previous knowledge abouttoxoplasmosis. Results: 128 students aged 18 to 41 years participated in the study, 83 (64.4%) female and 45 (35.6%) male. Blood samples were collected from 106 participants, and 13 (12.3%) had anti-T gondii antibodies. Of these, 3 (2.8%) claimed to consume unpasteurized bovine milk, 3 (2.8%) raw or undercooked meat, and 1 (0.94%) raw or unhygienic vegetables. There was no statistically significant association between positivity (IgM anti-T. gondii or IgG anti-T. gondii) and the variables analyzed in the questionnaire. Conclusion: In this work, it was possible to verify the presence of IgM and IgG anti-T gondii antibodies in university students. There was no association between seropositivity and eating habits. However, the questionnaire response analysis showed risky behavior on these individuals, especially concerning frequent contact with dogs and cats, often collected on the street.



Article Details

How to Cite
1.
Franco dos Santos IP, Marinho AFSS, Gómez-Hernández C, Andrade CMR, Rodrigues V, Rezende-Oliveira K. Prevalence of IgM and IgG anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in university students from the Biological Sciences Course, Pontal do Triângulo Mineiro. HSJ [Internet]. 2020 Dec. 17 [cited 2024 Nov. 2];10(4):151-9. Available from: https://portalrcs.hcitajuba.org.br/index.php/rcsfmit_zero/article/view/1038
Section
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Author Biographies

Isadora Paula Franco dos Santos, Federal University of Uberlândia, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences of Pontal, Laboratory of Biomedical Sciences

Graduated in Biological Sciences at the Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences of Pontal, Federal University of Uberlândia. Ituiutaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Ana Flávia Santos Silva Marinho, Federal University of Uberlândia, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences of Pontal, Laboratory of Biomedical Sciences

Graduated in Biological Sciences at the Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences of Pontal, Federal University of Uberlândia. Ituiutaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

César Gómez-Hernández, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Laboratory of Immunology

PhD in Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases at the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro. Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Cristhianne Molinero Ratkevicius Andrade, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Laboratory of Immunology

Master in Health Sciences from the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro. Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Virmondes Rodrigues, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Laboratory of Immunology

PhD in Immunology from the University of São Paulo. Titular Professor of the Immunology Discipline at the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro. Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Karine Rezende-Oliveira, Federal University of Uberlândia, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences of Pontal, Laboratory of Biomedical Sciences

PhD in Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro. Post-Doctorate in Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases. Associate Professor II of the disciplines of Immunology, Parasitology, Epidemiology and Public Health, Parasitological Methods of Diagnosis and Immunological and Molecular Aspects of the Parasite-Host Relationship in the Biological Sciences course at the Federal University of Uberlândia, Faculty of Integrated Sciences of Pontal (FACIP). Ituiutaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

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