Smit G Suzanne A, Vu Thi Lam Binh, Do Trung Dung, Speybroeck Niko, Devleesschauwer Brecht, Padalko Elizaveta, Roets Ellen, Dorny Pierre
Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), Nationalestraat 155, B-2000, Antwerp, Belgium.
BMC Infect Dis. 2017 May 25;17(1):364. doi: 10.1186/s12879-017-2446-1.
In Vietnam, no systematic prenatal toxoplasmosis screening is in place, and only few studies have assessed the prevalence and importance of this zoonotic parasite infection. In addition, no studies have been conducted to assess the risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis. This study protocol was developed to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in Hanoi and Thai Binh, Northern Vietnam, and to evaluate the association with risk factors and congenital toxoplasmosis. The protocol was developed in a way that it could potentially evolve into a countrywide prenatal diagnosis and prevention program, with the main focus on primary prevention.
The collaborating gynaecologists will invite eligible pregnant women attending antenatal care for the first time to participate in the study. At first consult, information about toxoplasmosis and its prevention will be provided. All participants will be asked to fill in a questionnaire, which is designed to analyse socio-demographic and biologically plausible risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis, and blood samples will be collected to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women. In case there is suspicion of a primary infection during pregnancy, the concerned women will be followed-up by the gynaecologists according to a predefined protocol. Every participant will be informed on her serological status, risk factors and prevention measures and is offered appropriate medical information and medical follow-up if required.
The hypothesis is that congenital toxoplasmosis is an important but currently under-diagnosed public health problem in Vietnam. This study can strengthen sustainable control of toxoplasmosis in Vietnam, provide a protocol for prenatal diagnosis, boost overall awareness, improve the knowledge about toxoplasmosis prevention and can be essential for evidence-based health policy.
在越南，尚未开展系统的产前弓形虫病筛查，仅有少数研究评估了这种人畜共患寄生虫感染的患病率及重要性。此外，尚未有研究评估与弓形虫病相关的危险因素。本研究方案旨在确定越南北部河内市和太平省孕妇的弓形虫病血清阳性率，并评估其与危险因素及先天性弓形虫病的关联。该方案的制定方式使其有可能演变为一项全国性的产前诊断和预防计划，主要侧重于一级预防。
合作的妇科医生将邀请首次参加产前检查的符合条件的孕妇参与研究。在初次咨询时，将提供有关弓形虫病及其预防的信息。所有参与者都将被要求填写一份问卷，该问卷旨在分析与弓形虫病相关的社会人口统计学和生物学上合理的危险因素，并采集血样以确定孕妇弓形虫病的血清阳性率。如果怀疑孕妇在孕期发生原发性感染，相关女性将由妇科医生按照预先定义的方案进行随访。每位参与者都将被告知其血清学状态、危险因素和预防措施，并在需要时提供适当的医疗信息和医学随访。
假设先天性弓形虫病是越南一个重要但目前诊断不足的公共卫生问题。本研究可以加强越南对弓形虫病的可持续控制，提供产前诊断方案，提高整体意识，增进对弓形虫病预防的认识，对于基于证据的卫生政策至关重要。
