Toxoplasmosis and Pregnancy: Prevalence and Immune Profile among Aboriginal Pregnant Women in Two Departments of Congo

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which can affect pregnant women with varying degrees of severity. This parasitosis has not been studied in native pregnant women in our country. The aim of this study was therefore, to investigate the immune profile of aboriginal pregnant women in the Republic of the Congo. Patient materials and methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in the departments of Lékoumou, Sangha and Brazzaville from 1 January to 30 September 2017. It involved aboriginal and Bantu pregnant women residing in the aforementioned departments. The ELISA technique was used for toxoplasma serology. Immunoglobulin G and M testing was combined with an immunoglobulin G avidity test. The statistical test was significant when p Results: We enrolled 97 aboriginals and 97 Bantus. The mean age of aboriginal and Bantu pregnant women was similar (27.7 years ± 7.9 vs 27.2 years ± 6.9). The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis between the two groups was not statistically different (23.1% vs 30.9%; p = 0.07). The presence of immunoglobulins was Ig G = 20%, Ig M = 1% in the aboriginal vs Ig G = 7%, Ig M = 0 in the Bantus in the first trimester; Ig G = 33.3%, Ig M = 0% vs Ig G = 58.3%, Ig M = 1% in the 2nd trimester; Ig G = 46.7%, Ig M = 0% vs Ig G = 35%, Ig M = 0% in the 3rd trimester. The serological status of aboriginal pregnant women did not differ from that of Bantus: non-immune (53.6% vs 38.1); immune (30.9% vs 50.5); acute infection (15.4% vs 11.3). Conclusion: Toxoplasmosis is a reality in aboriginal pregnant women. Studies are needed to identify the risk factors associated with the occurrence of this parasitosis in native pregnant women.