Soropositividade de infecções causadas pelo Toxoplasma gondii, vírus da hepatite b e rubéola em gestantes reagentes para sífilis de uma maternidade de referência em Salvador-BA

Abstract

Vertically transmitted infections represent a major global public health problem. Different microorganisms can cross the transplacental barrier and affect the fetus, potentially causing problems that manifest before and after birth. Therefore, screening for infections during pregnancy is extremely important to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to protect the health of the pregnant woman and the fetus and/or newborn. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of infections, such as toxoplasmosis, rubella, and hepatitis B, and associated risk factors, in pregnant women at a maternity hospital in Salvador, Bahia. A cross- sectional study was carried out between December 2022 and December 2023 with pregnant women with reactive serology for syphilis admitted to the obstetric center of the Maria da Conceição de Jesus Maternity Hospital (Salvador, Bahia). For pregnant and postpartum women who agreed to participate in the study, sociodemographic data, clinical information, and prenatal information were collected, and serological tests for markers related to these infections were performed. Serological tests were performed for: anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM; for hepatitis B, anti-HBs, total anti-HBc and HBs antigen (HBsAg); in addition to anti-rubella IgG. In the present study, 182 pregnant women agreed to participate in the study, who were, on average, 25.80 ± 6.11 years old. Most of the pregnant women declared themselves black or brown, had a level of education up to high school (incomplete or complete) and a family income ≤ 1 minimum wage. The results of the serological tests showed that 52.2% had IgG antibodies reactive to T. gondii, while 1.64% were IgM reactive. In the case of hepatitis B, it was found that 72.8% of the pregnant women were reactive to anti-HBs and non-reactive to total anti-HBc, indicating that at least this portion had been vaccinated. Approximately 2.74% of pregnant women were reactive for the total anti-HBc marker and 2.19% for HBsAg. Regarding rubella, 81.33% were reactive for IgG antibodies. The data indicated that participants aged 26 years or older had a higher frequency of anti- rubella IgG antibodies and were 1.88 times more likely to be seropositive for anti-T. gondiiIgG antibodies compared to younger pregnant women. The results of this study highlight the importance of epidemiological surveillance during pregnancy and can guide interventions and prevention strategies to protect maternal and child health.