Séroprévalence et facteurs associés à la toxoplasmose chez la femme enceinte en milieu rural au Bénin

Abstract

Introduction: serological tests for toxoplasmosis in pregnant women are not performed on a systematic basis in rural areas in Benin where people often live an unhealthy lifestyle and that represents a favorable factor for disease onset. Our study aimed to determine the perigravidic serologic profile of toxoplasmosis and the associated risk factors in the rural area of Kpomassè Municipality in Benin. Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional survey in a population of pregnant women at the two most attended health centers in Kpomassè Municipality, southern Benin, from January to September 2016. Serological tests for toxoplasmosis were performed using serum samples obtained from pregnant women, through chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. A questionnaire on risk factors and on disease knowledge was administered to participants. Results: the study involved 399 pregnant women aged 15-47 years (with an average age of 26.56±10.02 years). Nearly all of women surveyed (99.05%) were not aware of the modes of toxoplasmosis transmission. IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii were found in 144 patients, reflecting a seroprevalence of 36.1%. Two cases of pergravidic seroconversion were diagnosed and treated with spiramycin, with favorable outcome in the two children during the first year of follow-up. Consumption of raw vegetables was the risk factor for toxoplasmosis in our study population. In the rural area of Kpomassè Municipality, the majority of the pregnant women (64.9%) were not immunized against toxoplasma.Conclusion: awareness should be raised on contamination risks and systematic serologic screening as well as hygiene measures should be implemented during prenatal consultations in order to prevent pergravidic seroconversions and to protect infants.