Banca de DEFESA: VICTOR OTERO MARTINEZ

Uma banca de DEFESA de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
DISCENTE : VICTOR OTERO MARTINEZ
DATA : 30/08/2019
HORA: 09:00
LOCAL: Sala 07 Faculdade de Farmácia
TÍTULO:

Toxoplasma gondii INFECTION IN SCHOOLS FROM A COMMUNITY OF KILOMBALL TRADITIONS: SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINANTS AND EFFECTS ON BEHAVIOR

PALAVRAS-CHAVES:

Toxoplasmosis; Infection; Children; Lead; Behavior.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection is highly prevalent in the Brazilian population. Although considered a self-limiting infection in immunologically healthy individuals, recent studies suggest that this pathogen may modify human behavior.The objective of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection, its social and environmental determinants and the possible effects on the behavior of school children in Aratuípe, Bahia.Information was collected from 142 children (6 to 14 years old) of both sexes, enrolled in the municipal schools of Aratuípe, Bahia, Brazil.Laboratory determinations were performed by Enzyme-linked Immunosbsorbent Assay (ELISA).Risk factors were analyzed using a semi-structured questionnaire and the assessment of child behavior was made from the Child Behavior Check List (CBCL) applied to parents or guardians.As it is a region of recognized production of ceramic utensils, intense use of lead oxide has already been evidenced in the glazing process, so data on blood lead levels (BLL) in children were used as a covariate, since this heavy metal is a well-known neurotoxic agent, associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Multivariate models applying logistic regression were used to define the determinants significantly associated with chronic T. gondii infection, as well as to define its association with behavioral outcomes in children.Seroprevalence for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies was 43.7% (95% CI, 35.8% - 51.9%), children positive for T. gondii specific antibodies had a 2.34 times greater chance (95% CI, 1.13 - 5.25) of having been hospitalized due to infections, children with chronic T. gondii infection were less likely to report contact with soil, the frequency of the other risk factors surveyed showed no significant differences between seropositive and seronegative individuals.Regarding child’s behavior, 21.8% of the children had problems with clinical classification. There was an association between chronic T. gondii infection and total behavioral problems (OR = 2.50; 95% CI 1.06 - 5.88), internalizing spectrum problems (OR = 4.35; 95% CI 1.11 - 17.14) and disobedience to rules (OR = 2.61; 95% CI 1.12 - 6.05).Although no association was observed between high levels of BLL and behavioral effects, a possible interaction between toxoplasmosis prevalence and lead exposure was detected. Children with above median BLL and IgG anti-T. gondii positive showed a 5.51-fold increase (OR = 3.47, 95% CI 1.75 - 17.38) in the chance of disobedient behavior. The results suggest that in the municipality children there is a high prevalence of chronic toxoplasmosis, and that the parasite infection may be contributing to the high rates of behavioral changes. In addition, these findings are the first evidence of an association between chronic T. gondii infection and elevated blood lead levels with neurobehavioral effects in children.

 

 

Keywords: Toxoplasmosis; Infection; Children; Lead; Behavior.

 

PÁGINAS: 86
GRANDE ÁREA: Ciências da Saúde
ÁREA: Farmácia
SUBÁREA: Análise Toxicológica
RESUMO:

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection is highly prevalent in the Brazilian population. Although considered a self-limiting infection in immunologically healthy individuals, recent studies suggest that this pathogen may modify human behavior. The objective of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection, its social and environmental determinants and the possible effects on the behavior of school children in Aratuípe, Bahia. Information was collected from 142 children (6 to 14 years old) of both sexes, enrolled in the municipal schools of Aratuípe, Bahia, Brazil. Laboratory determinations were performed by Enzyme-linked Immunosbsorbent Assay (ELISA). Risk factors were analyzed using a semi-structured questionnaire and the assessment of child behavior was made from the Child Behavior Check List (CBCL) applied to parents or guardians. As it is a region of recognized production of ceramic utensils, intense use of lead oxide has already been evidenced in the glazing process, so data on blood lead levels (BLL) in children were used as a covariate, since this heavy metal is a well-known neurotoxic agent, associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Multivariate models applying logistic regression were used to define the determinants significantly associated with chronic T. gondii infection, as well as to define its association with behavioral outcomes in children. Seroprevalence for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies was 43.7% (95% CI, 35.8% - 51.9%), children positive for T. gondii specific antibodies had a 2.34 times greater chance (95% CI, 1.13 - 5.25) of having been hospitalized due to infections, children with chronic T. gondii infection were less likely to report contact with soil, the frequency of the other risk factors surveyed showed no significant differences between seropositive and seronegative individuals. Regarding child’s behavior, 21.8% of the children had problems with clinical classification. There was an association between chronic T. gondii infection and total behavioral problems (OR = 2.50; 95% CI 1.06 - 5.88), internalizing spectrum problems (OR = 4.35; 95% CI 1.11 - 17.14) and disobedience to rules (OR = 2.61; 95% CI 1.12 - 6.05). Although no association was observed between high levels of BLL and behavioral effects, a possible interaction between toxoplasmosis prevalence and lead exposure was detected. Children with above median BLL and IgG anti-T. gondii positive showed a 5.51-fold increase (OR = 3.47, 95% CI 1.75 - 17.38) in the chance of disobedient behavior. The results suggest that in the municipality children there is a high prevalence of chronic toxoplasmosis, and that the parasite infection may be contributing to the high rates of behavioral changes. In addition, these findings are the first evidence of an association between chronic T. gondii infection and elevated blood lead levels with neurobehavioral effects in children.

 

MEMBROS DA BANCA:
Presidente - 2181841 - JOSE ANTONIO MENEZES FILHO
Interno - 2584365 - LUCIANA SANTOS CARDOSO
Externo à Instituição - CHRISSIE FERREIRA DE CARVALHO - UFSC