Risk Factors and Ocular Health Associated with Toxoplasmosis in Quilombola Communities

Area of Science:

• Parasitology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Toxoplasmosis, caused by *Toxoplasma gondii*, is a significant global health concern.
• Parasitic infections disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, necessitating localized prevalence studies.
• Understanding transmission dynamics is crucial for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of *Toxoplasma gondii* seropositivity in *Quilombolas* communities in Tocantins, Brazil.
• To identify sociodemographic, behavioral, and environmental risk factors associated with seropositivity.
• To investigate potential ocular health outcomes linked to *T. gondii* infection in the study population.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 161 residents from four *Quilombolas* communities.
• Serological testing using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for IgG/IgM and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
• Data collection via standardized questionnaires on sociodemographic, health, and behavioral factors; statistical analysis using Epi-Info.

Main Results:

• Overall seroprevalence of *Toxoplasma gondii* was 62.11% (100/161).
• Significant risk factors included advanced age (OR: 4.07), cat ownership (OR: 5.56), low parental education (OR: 2.97), children playing on the ground (OR: 2.50), and home vegetable gardens (OR: 3.80).
• No direct association found between seropositivity and specific ocular manifestations in children or the elderly; observed ocular issues were mainly age-related.

Conclusions:

• High *Toxoplasma gondii* seroprevalence in these communities is linked to specific environmental and socioeconomic factors.
• Identified risk factors underscore the need for targeted prevention strategies in vulnerable populations.
• Ocular manifestations were not directly attributable to toxoplasmosis in this cohort, suggesting other etiological factors.