[Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus in pregnant women of Catalonia].

A seroepidemiological survey was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of antibodies against toxoplasma, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus in pregnant women from Catalonia during 1985. The study was carried out in a representative sample of the pregnant women cared for in public and private hospitals from Catalonia, which was selected in maternal clinics by random sampling. Antibody measurements were carried out with the following techniques: toxoplasma, IFI (positive values greater than or equal to 1:10); rubella virus, Iha (greater than or equal to 1:10); CMV and herpes simplex virus, CF (greater than or equal to 1:10). 50.21% of pregnant women had antibodies against toxoplasma, 97.48% against rubella virus, 73.31% against CMV, and 80.93% against herpes simplex virus. The presence of antibodies against CMV and herpes simplex virus were significantly associated ( less than 0.00001). The demographic and socioeconomic variables associated with the prevalence of antibodies were analyzed, and they were compared with other results from the literature.