Incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis in the City of Belém, State of Pará, Northern Brazil, determined by a neonatal screening program: preliminary results

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical 2012-02, Vol.45 (1), p.122-124
• Main Authors: Bichara, Cléa Nazaré Carneiro, Canto, Giselle Acácia de Cristo, Tostes, Camila de Lima, Freitas, Jofre Jacob da Silva, Carmo, Ediclei Lima do, Póvoa, Marinete Marins, Silveira, Eliete da Costa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibodies, Protozoan - blood; Brazil - epidemiology; Congenital diseases; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin G - blood; Immunoglobulin M - blood; Incidence; Incidência; Infant, Newborn; Medical screening; Metabolic disorders; Neonatal care; Neonatal Screening; Toxoplasma - immunology; Toxoplasmose congênita; Toxoplasmosis; Toxoplasmosis, Congenital - diagnosis; Toxoplasmosis, Congenital - epidemiology; Triagem neonatal; TROPICAL MEDICINE
• ISSN: 0037-8682; 1678-9849; 1678-9849; 0037-8682
• DOI: 10.1590/S0037-86822012000100024

The aim of this study was to determinate the incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis among a group of newborns (NBs) from Belém using neonatal screening. Among the 6,000 newborns referred for investigation of genetic and metabolic diseases, 1,000 were selected for screening for congenital toxoplasmosis by determining the amount of IgM in the eluates of blood collected on filter paper. Positive tests were confirmed using paired serology of the NB and his mother. Out of the 1,000 NBs assessed, one had a positive screening result that was confirmed by paired serology. The incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis in Belém was 10/10,000 live NBs.