RESUMO

We sought to determine the association between Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection of the central nervous system and suicide in a sample of decedents in Mexico City. One hundred and forty-seven decedents (87 who committed suicide and 60 who did not commit suicide) were studied. Brain tissues (amygdala and prefrontal cortex) of decedents were examined for the detection of T. gondii using immunohistochemistry. Detection of T. gondii was positive in 7 (8.0%) of the 87 cases (6 found in prefrontal cortex and one in amygdala), and in one (1.7%) of the 60 controls (found in prefrontal cortex) (OR: 5.16; 95% CI: 0.61-43.10; P = 0.14). Results suggest that T. gondii infection in brain is not associated with suicide. Further studies to confirm this finding are needed.

RESUMO

We assessed the association between Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection of the central nervous system and suicide correlates in suicide decedents. Eighty-seven decedents who died by suicide received in a forensic setting for medico-legal autopsies in Mexico City were studied. Two samples of brain (amygdala and prefrontal cortex) from each decedent were examined for detection of T. gondii using immunohistochemistry. Correlates of suicide including a history of previous suicide attempts, co-morbid mental disorder, consumption of alcohol or tobacco, irritability and aggression, economic problems, presence of drugs or alcohol in blood and suicide method were obtained and analyzed for their association with T. gondii infection. T. gondii immunohistochemistry was positive in prefrontal cortex sections in 6 decedents and in an amygdala section in one decedent. Thus, the prevalence of T. gondii infection in brain in suicide victims was 8.0% (7/87). Bivariate and logistic regression analysis of suicide correlates showed that only a history of depression was associated with T. gondii infection of the brain in suicide victims (OR: 12.00; 95% CI: 2.26-63.46; p = 0.003). Our results provide evidence that T. gondii infection in brain is associated with a history of depression in suicide decedents.

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OBJECTIVE: To determine the seroprevalence of Leptospira immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM antibodies and its association with the characteristics of the study population from the northern Mexican city of Durango, Mexico. METHODS: Through a cross-sectional study design, inhabitants of Durango City, Mexico were surveyed between June 2018 and November 2018. Serum samples from the subjects were analysed for anti-Leptospira IgG and IgM antibodies using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Sociodemographic, clinical, behavioural and housing characteristics were recorded. Data were analysed by bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The study enrolled 413 people, of which 124 (30.0%) and 137 (33.2%) were positive for anti-Leptospira IgG antibodies and anti-Leptospira IgM antibodies, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that Leptospira seropositivity was associated with professional occupation, alcohol consumption, ill clinical status, memory impairment and a history of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to report the seroepidemiology of Leptospira infection in an urban general population in the north of Mexico. The seroprevalence of Leptospira infection found was higher than those previously reported in Mexican studies.

Assuntos

Leptospirose , Cidades , Estudos Transversais , Humanos , Leptospirose/diagnóstico , Leptospirose/epidemiologia , México/epidemiologia , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos

RESUMO

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in pregnant women in Matehuala City, Mexico; and the associated risk factors. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Matehuala City, Mexico. PARTICIPANTS: 311 pregnant women. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Sera of women were analysed for anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies by commercially available immunoassays. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the association between T. gondii seroprevalence and the characteristics of the pregnant women. RESULTS: Thirteen (4.2%) of the 311 pregnant women studied were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. No anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were found in anti-T. gondii IgG seropositive women. No association between seropositivity and history of blood transfusion, transplantation, caesarean sections, deliveries, miscarriages or number of pregnancies was found. Logistic regression analysis of sociodemographic, behavioural and housing variables showed that availability of potable water at street represented a risk factor for T. gondii infection (age-adjusted OR=2.18; 95% CI: 1.05 to 4.53; p=0.03), whereas being born in Mexico was a protective factor for infection (age-adjusted OR=0.01; 95% CI: 0.001 to 0.35; p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: In this first study on the seroepidemiology of T. gondii infection in pregnant women in Matehuala, we conclude that the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection is low and similar to those reported in pregnant women in other Mexican cities. However, the seroprevalence found is lower than those reported in pregnant women in other countries in the Americas and Europe. Two risk factors associated with T. gondii infection were identified. Results of the present study may help for the optimal planning of preventive measures against toxoplasmosis in pregnant women.

Assuntos

Gestantes , Toxoplasmose , Cidades , Estudos Transversais , Europa (Continente) , Feminino , Humanos , México/epidemiologia , Gravidez , Fatores de Risco , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Toxoplasmose/epidemiologia

RESUMO

PURPOSE: We aimed to determine the association between Chlamydia trachomatis infection and female sex work, and the association between sociodemographic, obstetric, and behavioral characteristics of female sex workers and C. trachomatis infection. METHODS: Through a case-control study design, we studied 201 female sex workers and 201 age-matched women without sex work in Durango City, Mexico. C. trachomatis DNA was detected in cervical swab samples using polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: C. trachomatis DNA was detected in 32 (15.9%) of the 201 cases and in 6 (3.0%) of the 201 controls (odds ratio [OR] = 6.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.5-15.0; P < 0.001). The frequency of infection with C. trachomatis in female sex workers did not vary (P > 0.05) regardless of the history of pregnancies, deliveries, cesarean sections, or miscarriages. Regression analysis of the behavioral characteristics showed that infection with C. trachomatis was associated only with consumption of alcohol (OR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.0-5.71; P = 0.04). Conclusions: We conclude that C. trachomatis infection is associated with female sex work in Durango City, Mexico. This is the first age-matched case-control study on the prevalence of C. trachomatis infection in female sex workers in Mexico using detection of C. trachomatis DNA in cervical samples.

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BACKGROUND: To determine the association of infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) and the occupation of female sex worker; and the correlation of infection with HPV with sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral characteristics of female sex workers. METHODS: We performed a case-control study of 217 female sex workers and 354 women without sex work in Durango City, Mexico. We determined the prevalence of infection with HPV in cervical samples of women using polymerase chain reaction, and HPV genotypes were determined using line probe assay. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the association between the characteristics of women and infection. RESULTS: Twelve (5.5%) of the 217 sex workers, and 10 (2.8%) of the 354 control women were positive for HPV DNA (age-adjusted OR = 1.51; 95% CI: 0.62 - 3.68; P = 0.36). Six (50.0%) of the 12 HPV DNA positive sex workers had infections with high-risk genotypes (16, 31, 33, 35, 51, 58). Seven (70%) of the 10 HPV DNA positive control women had infections with high-risk genotypes (16, 18, 56, 58, and 66). The frequency of high risk genotypes in the control women was equal with that found in the female sex workers (P = 0.41). Logistic regression analysis showed that the variable alcohol consumption was associated with HPV infection (OR = 4.0; 95% CI: 1.0 - 16.0; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: No association between HPV infection and female sex work was found in our setting. High risk HPV genotypes were prevalent among the women studied. Results can be used for the design of preventive measures against HPV infection.

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) during pregnancy may lead to congenital disease. Very little is known about the seroepidemiology of CMV infection in pregnant women in Mexico. We sought to determine the seroprevalence and correlates of CMV infection in pregnant women in Aguascalientes City, Mexico. METHODS: Through a cross-sectional study design, 289 pregnant women were examined for anti-CMV IgG and IgM antibodies in Aguascalientes City, Mexico. A standardized questionnaire was used to obtain the socio-demographic, clinical and behavioral characteristics of the pregnant women. The association between CMV infection and the characteristics of the pregnant women was assessed by bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Anti-CMV IgG antibodies were detected in 259 (89.6%) of the 289 pregnant women studied. None of the 289 pregnant women were positive for anti-CMV IgM antibodies. Seroprevalence of CMV infection was significantly lower (P = 0.03) in pregnant women with reflex impairment (5/8: 62.5%) than in those without this clinical feature (246/272: 90.4%). Seroprevalence of CMV infection was significantly higher (P = 0.03) in pregnant women with 2 - 9 pregnancies (140/150: 93.3%) than in those with only one pregnancy (119/139: 86.2%). Logistic regression analysis of socio-demographic and behavioral variables showed that seropositivity to CMV was associated with contact with children (odds ratio (OR) = 3.56; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17 - 10.84; P = 0.02), whereas high (> 150 AU/mL) anti-CMV antibody levels were negatively associated with washing hands before eating (OR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.05 - 0.63; P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: We found a high endemicity of CMV infection in pregnant women in Aguascalientes City, Mexico. Factors associated with CMV infection found in this study may be useful for an optimal planning of preventive measures against CMV exposure in pregnant women.

RESUMO

It is not clear whether infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) is associated with hypertensive disorders in pregnant women. Through a case-control study design, 146 women suffering from hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (cases) and 146 age-matched normotensive pregnant women (controls) were examined for the presence of anti-CMV IgG and IgM antibodies with enzyme-linked immunoassays. IgM seropositive samples were further assayed by enzyme-linked fluorescent assay (ELFA). Anti-CMV IgG antibodies were found in 138 (94.5%) controls and in 136 (93.2%) cases (odds ratio [OR] = 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.30-2.05; P = 0.62). High (>18 IU/ml) levels of anti-CMV IgG antibodies were found in 37.7% of the 138 seropositive controls and in 34.6% of the 136 seropositive cases (OR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.53-1.43; P = 0.59). Anti-CMV IgM antibodies were found in 1 (0.7%) of the controls but in none of the cases using ELFA (P = 1.0). Seropositivity to CMV was not associated with a previous preeclampsia and was similar among cases regardless their mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and mean arterial blood pressure. No serological evidence of an association between CMV infection and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was found. Further research to elucidate the role of CMV in hypertensive disorders in pregnancy should be conducted.