The prevalence and epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in Ontario.
The results of testing 7060 human serum specimens obtained in the Province of Ontario, Canada, were analysed for the presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. Of these samples 38% were serologically positive at a titre of 1/16 or greater. The age-specific rates climbed from 2.7% in infants between 6 months and 1 year of age, to about 50% in individuals aged 25 years or over. Variations in prevalence were noted between different areas within the province and evidence is put forward to show that an inverse relation exists between urban size and toxoplasma prevalence. Seasonal and annual variations were not shown to be significant. On the basis of a very small sample of specimens, cat ownership not appear to cause a significant increase in the risk of acquiring this infection.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D002415:Cats; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D012424:Rural Population; D012621:Seasons; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D014505:Urban Population
D000906:Antibodies
J Hyg (Lond). 1976 Aug;77(1):11-21
1068187
Pediatrics. 1968 Jun;41(6):1082-91
4173301
J Infect Dis. 1972 Dec;126(6):664-73
4677084
Can Med Assoc J. 1961 Apr 8;84:757-67
13699270
Science. 1948 Dec 10;108(2815):660-3
17744024