Alvarado-Esquivel C1,
Sánchez-Anguiano LF2,
Hernández-Tinoco J2,
Arreola-Cháidez E3,
López J3,
Salcido-Meraz KI3,
Estrada-Martínez S2,
Navarrete-Flores JA2,
Pérez-Álamos AR2,
Hernández-Ochoa M3,
Rábago-Sánchez E4,
Liesenfeld O5.
Abstract
Through an age- and sex-matched case-control study, we sought to determine whether female sex workers have an increased risk of Toxoplasma gondii exposure and to determine the sociodemographic, work, clinical, and behavioral characteristics of these workers associated with T. gondii exposure. Female workers (n = 136) and controls (n = 272) were examined with enzyme-linked immunoassays (EIA) for the presence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies. IgM positive sera were additionally tested with enzyme linked-fluorescence immunoassay (ELFA). Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were found in 21 (15.44%) of 136 cases and in 10 (3.67%) of 272 controls (OR = 4.05; 95% CI: 1.84-8.89; P = 0.0001). Anti-T. gondii IgG levels higher than 150 IU/ml were found in 13 (9.6%) of 136 cases and in 8 (2.9%) of 272 controls (P = 0.007). Anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were found in two cases and in six controls by EIA, but all were negative by ELFA. T. gondii seropositivity was associated with being born out of Durango State (OR = 10.47; 95% CI: 2.9-36.8; P < 0.01), injuries during sex work (OR = 6.30; 95% CI: 1.1-33.7; P = 0.03), and soil contact (OR = 4.11; 95% CI: 1.2-14.0; P = 0.02). This is the first report of an association of T. gondii infection and female sex workers.
KEYWORDS:
Toxoplasma gondii; case-control study; female sex workers; risk factors; seroprevalence
1 comment:
The study is very significant in providing the female sex worker better protection. Only in this way more proper drug design process can be generated for better protection measures.
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