CONGENITAL TOXOPLASMOSIS IN THE SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST OF BRAZIL: A NEGLECTED DISEASE?

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Toxoplasmosis is a chronic infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which crosses the placental barrier, causing serious and often irreversible problems for the physical and motor development of neonates, newborns and children. Prenatal care is relevant for screening in susceptible pregnant women and rapid initiation of treatment. In Brazil, the prevalence is 5-23 infected children per 10,000 live births. According to the high prevalence of this infection in Brazil, can we say that congenital toxoplasmosis is a neglected disease? OBJECTIVE To evaluate congenital toxoplasmosis rates in the South and Southeast of Brazil and, thus, perform a comparative analysis with Brazilian data in the 2019-2022 period. METHODS This is a cross-sectional, descriptive ecological study with a quantitative approach, covering a time-series analysis of congenital toxoplasmosis indices in the South and Southeast, between 2019 and 2022. RESULTS: Data show a significant increase in cases of newborns with congenital toxoplasmosis in Brazil. The country, in the period from 2019 to 2022, notified the total number of 12,885 new cases. And in the same period, the states of the South and Southeast presented 7,122 new cases – equivalent to 55.3% of the national data. It was also evidenced that among the states with the most reported cases of congenital toxoplasmosis in the Southeast was Minas Gerais (MG), followed by São Paulo (SP). As for the states in the South region, Rio Grande Do Sul (RS) is highlighted, followed by the state of Paraná (PR). CONCLUSION It is of paramount importance to perceive the relevance of the theme presented for a better approach and, consequently, a better outcome for the growing number of cases. Further research on the theme is extremely necessary, as well as a more accentuated look at the importance of well-performed prenatal care.