Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in women from the North of Portugal in their childbearing years

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and associated risk factors were investigated in 401 women of childbearing age from the North of Portugal. Of the 98 (24.4%) seropositive women, 92 (93.9%) only had immunoglobulin (Ig) G, two (2.0%) only had IgM, and four (4.1%) others had both IgG and IgM. Risk factors for T. gondii infection in women were: engaging in soil-related activities without gloves [odds ratio (OR) 8.4], consumption of unwashed raw vegetables or fruit (OR 7.6), and consumption of smoked or cured (non-cooked) processed pork products (OR 2.5). Most women of childbearing age from the North Portugal are susceptible to primary infection with T. gondii and, therefore, the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis remains high.