Serological survey for Toxoplasma gondii infection in two riverside communities in Northeastern Brazil

Wellington S Rosa; Lara CS Vieira; Camila T Souza; Victor O Martinez; Antônio Márcio S Fernandes; Helen RSS Matos; Joelma N de Souza; Neci M Soares; Ana LM Amor; Márcia CA Teixeira; Carina C Santos

doi:10.3855/jidc.22242

Serological survey for Toxoplasma gondii infection in two riverside communities in Northeastern Brazil

Authors

Wellington S Rosa Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmácia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Lara CS Vieira Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmácia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Camila T Souza Laboratório Serviço de Imunologia das Doenças Infecciosas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Victor O Martinez Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmácia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0537-1797
Antônio Márcio S Fernandes Laboratório Serviço de Imunologia das Doenças Infecciosas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8839-3395
Helen RSS Matos Laboratório Serviço de Imunologia das Doenças Infecciosas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7552-4429
Joelma N de Souza Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1456-9009
Neci M Soares Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmácia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Ana LM Amor Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0977-1245
Márcia CA Teixeira Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmácia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0477-5092
Carina C Santos Laboratório Serviço de Imunologia das Doenças Infecciosas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2898-0851

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.22242

Keywords:

riverside populations, toxoplasmosis, antibodies, risk factors

Abstract

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis, a zoonosis caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is a significant global public health concern. Riverside communities often face unfavorable socioeconomic conditions that can lead to increased exposure to pathogens. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in two riverside communities in Northeastern Brazil.

Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted between April/2022 and August/2024, involving the populations of the cities of Cabaceiras do Paraguaçu and Cachoeira in the Recôncavo Baiano region, Northeastern Brazil. Sociodemographic data were collected, and serological tests were performed to evaluate anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG.

Results: A total of 237 individuals were tested serologically for toxoplasmosis. The majority were female, self-identified as Black, with family incomes below the minimum Brazilian wage. In Cabaceiras do Paraguaçu, 40/74 (54.1%) individuals presented reactive anti-T. gondii IgG, while one (1.4%) was reactive for IgM. In Cachoeira, 80/163 (49.1%) were reactive for anti-T. gondii IgG, while 6 (3.7%) presented seropositivity for IgM. Individuals aged 31 years or older (Cabaceiras do Paraguaçu) and 15 years or older (Cachoeira) were associated with a higher chance of presenting anti-T. gondii IgG.

Conclusions: This study contributes to our understanding of the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and associated risk factors in riverside communities. The seroprevalence rates of toxoplasmosis identified in this study, including IgM-positive cases, reinforce the urgent need for interventions to prevent toxoplasmosis in riverside populations.

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Published

2026-07-31

How to Cite

Rosa WS, Vieira LC, Souza CT, Martinez VO, Fernandes AMS, Matos HR, de Souza JN, Soares NM, Amor AL, Teixeira MC, Santos CC (2026) Serological survey for Toxoplasma gondii infection in two riverside communities in Northeastern Brazil. J Infect Dev Ctries 20:1078–1084. doi: 10.3855/jidc.22242

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Issue

Vol. 20 No. 07: July 2026

Section

Original Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Wellington S. Rosa , Lara C. S. Vieira, Camila T. Souza, Victor O. Martinez, Antônio Márcio S. Fernandes, Helen R. S. S. Matos, Joelma N. de Souza, Neci M. Soares, Ana L. M. Amor, Márcia C. A. Teixeira , Carina C. Santos

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