Concordance of Toxoplasma gondii Infection Markers Among Heterosexual Couples

J Clin Med Res. 2017 Sep;9(9):788-792. doi: 10.14740/jocmr3117w. Epub 2017 Jul 27.

Alvarado-Esquivel C1, Pacheco-Vega SJ2, Hernandez-Tinoco J3, Berumen-Segovia LO1, Sanchez-Anguiano LF3, Estrada-Martinez S3, Sandoval-Carrillo AA3, Salas-Pacheco JM3, Antuna-Salcido EI3.

Author information

Abstract

BACKGROUND: 

Very little is known about concordance of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection markers among couples. Through a cross-sectional study, we sought to determine the correlation of T. gondii infection in a sample of 119 heterosexual couples in Durango State, Mexico.

METHODS: 

Participants were examined for the presence of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using enzyme-linked immunoassays. IgG and IgM seropositive couples were further analyzed for the presence of T. gondii DNA by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS: 

Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were found in 71 (59.7%) men and in 63 (52.9%) women (odds ratio (OR) = 1.31; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.78 - 2.19; P = 0.29). Of the 71 seropositive men, 40 (56.3%) had a seropositive couple; in contrast, of the 63 seropositive women, 40 (63.5%) had a seropositive couple (OR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.37 - 1.48; P = 0.39). In total, 65 (54.6%) couples had concordant results (both IgG positive or both IgG negative), and 54 (45.4%) had discordant results (a seropositive man with a seronegative woman, or a seropositive woman with a seronegative man) (kappa index = 0.08; 95% CI: -0.09 - 0.26). With respect to high (> 150 IU/mL) levels of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies, 79 (66.4%) of the 119 couples had concordant results and 40 (33.6%) had discordant results (kappa index = -0.15; 95% CI: -0.03 - 0.33). Forty couples were positive for anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies. Of them, 21 (52.5%) had concordant results, and 19 (47.5%) had discordant results (kappa index = -0.01; 95% CI: -0.39 - 0.28). Concerning PCR, eight (50%) of 16 couples were positive for T. gondii DNA. Of them, 11 (68.8%) had concordant results, and five (31.2%) had discordant results (kappa index = 0.31; 95% CI: -0.17 - 0.79).

CONCLUSIONS: 

Results suggest a poor concordance of serological and molecular markers of T. gondii infection among heterosexual couples. Further studies to confirm our results should be conducted.

KEYWORDS: 

Concordance; Couples; Epidemiology; Infection markers; Mexico; Seroprevalence; Toxoplasma gondii

PMID:

 

28811857

 

PMCID:

 

PMC5544485

 

DOI:

 

10.14740/jocmr3117w