Seroprevalence of HIV, HTLV-I/II and other perinatally-transmitted pathogens in Salvador, Bahia
dos Santos, J.I.; Lopes, M.A.; Deliège-Vasconcelos, E.; Couto-Fernandez, J.C.; Patel, B.N.; Barreto, M.L.; Ferreira Júnior, O.C.; Galvão-Castro, B.
Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo 37(4): 343-348
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-4665 PMID: 8599064 Document Number: 442934
Generation of epidemiological data on perinatally-transmitted infections is a fundamental tool for the formulation of health policies. In Brazil, this information is scarce, particularly in Northeast, the poorest region of the country. In order to gain some insights of the problem we studied the seroprevalence of some perinatally-transmitted infections in 1,024 low income pregnant women in Salvador, Bahia. The prevalences were as follow: HIV-1 (0.10%), HTLV-I/II (0.88%), T. cruzi (2.34%). T. pallidum (3.91%), rubella virus (77.44%), T. gondii IgM (2.87%) and IgG (69.34%), HBs AO, (0.6%) and anti-HBs (7.62%). Rubellavirus and T. gondii IgG antibodies were present in more than two thirds of pregnant women but antibodies against other pathogens were present at much lower rates. We found that the prevalence of HTLV-I/II was nine times higher than that found for HIV-1. In some cases such as T. cruzi and hepatitis B infection there was a decrease in the prevalence over the years. On the other hand, there was an increase in the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection. Our data strongly recommend mandatory screening tests for HTLV-I/II, T. gondii (IgM), T. pallidum and rubella virus in prenatal routine for pregnant women in Salvador. Screening test for T. cruzi, hepatitis and HIV-1 is recommended whenever risk factors associated with these infections are suspected. However in areas with high prevalence for these infections, the mandatory screening test in prenatal care should be considered.