Short report: neonatal screening pilot study of Toxoplasma gondii congenital infection in Mexico

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2005 Feb;72(2):142-4.

Abstract

Congenital toxoplasmosis is an obstetric problem in Mexico, but its actual frequency is unknown. Using a network for screening of non-infectious disorders, we performed a pilot study to determine the frequency of IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in 1,003 infants (53.1% male, mean +/- SD age = 18.3 +/- 13.0 days, birth weight = 3.116 +/- 0.453 kg) in Mexico City from March to April 2003. Blood samples embedded in filter paper were assayed for IgM antibodies using a capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and results were confirmed by Western blot. Two asymptomatic newborns, one of them premature, had IgM and IgG antibodies in a serum sample taken from both the infant and the mother and were clinically followed. Our data suggest a frequency of approximately two cases of congenital T. gondii infection per 1,000 newborns in Mexico City.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Blotting, Western
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Toxoplasma / immunology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / epidemiology*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / etiology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / prevention & control*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / transmission

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan