Ocorrência de Toxoplasma gondii em trabalhadores de frigoríficos no Município de São Luís – MA

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution, caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. Several years ago this disease was recognized as a disease of the character occupational because it is associated with work activities where veterinarians, farmers, refrigerator workers and other occupations maintain, directly or indirectly, contact with animals exposed to infection. The aim of this study was to determine occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii in meatpacking workers in São Luis – MA. During the months of March and April 2016, questionnaires were administered and blood samples collected from 70 employees of the three slaughterhouses for slaughter of bovine animals. Serologic diagnosis was performed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay by Fluorescence (ELFA). The results and data from questionnaires were compiled into a database in Microsoft Excel 2010 version. The risk factors were statistically analyzed using the chi-square test, with significance level of 5% (0.005) and intervals with 95% reliability. Among the samples analyzed, 91.42% (n=64) were male employees and 8.57% (n=6) were female, aged between 19 and 61, and service time between eight months and 36 years. None of the 70 serum samples was analyzed reagent for the IgM antibody anti-T. gondii, while 87.14% (n=61) were reactive serum IgG. These results indicate that the agent is circulating among them through a common source of infection, although statistical analysis revealed no significant differences (P≥0,05) between seropositivity and occupational risk factors associated with the occurrence parasite. With regard to questions about diseases transmitted by animals, 60% (n=42) of employees claimed to have knowledge of some, but only 13% (n=9) reported having heard of toxoplasmosis. Given the above, mitigating actions as preventive measures and health education along these workers should be employed in the context of the slaughterhouses, thus contributing to occupational and public health.