Seroprevalence of antibodies against Treponema pallidum, Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, hepatitis B and C virus, and HIV in pregnant women

INTRODUCTION. The prevalence of antibodies against Treponema, pallidum, Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was investigated in pregnant women. METHODS. With the use of several serological methods in samples from women who had their first obstetric visit in 2001, we studied the prevalence of serum antibodies against T. pallidum, T gondii, rubella virus, HBV and HCV in 2,929 pregnant women, and anti-HIV antibodies in the 1,349 women agreeing to this test. RESULTS. Antibodies against T. pallidum were not detected in any case. HBsAg was found in 11 patients (0.4%), six of whom (54.5%) were not aware of their condition. The presence of anti-rubella antibodies was almost universal (99.95%). In the total population, 18.8% of patients had anti-T gondii antibodies; only one had a serological profile suggesting acute toxoplasmosis. Among the 1,349 women studied, anti-HIV antibodies were detected in two intravenous drug abusers who were aware of their condition. Anti-HCV antibodies were found in 0.4% of the series, and 36.4% of the HCV-positive patients had no knowledge of their condition. CONCLUSIONS. Active infection by T. pallidum in pregnant women in Spain is currently exceptional. The level of immunization against rubella virus is excellent. Seropositivity to T gondii is lower than rates reported in earlier studies. The prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies is around 0.4%, and seropositive status is often discovered in routine serological studies performed during pregnancy. HIV seropositivity is low, and the pregnant women included in this study were aware of their condition.