title: Toxoplasma antibody prevalence in veterinary personnel and a selected population not exposed to cats.
abstract: To further elucidate the epidemiologic factors involved in the transmission of Toxoplasma gondii from cats to humans, veterinarians, animal hospital workers and a selected population of non-contact subjects were questioned about rural or urban residency, pets owned, contact with cats and whether their cats used a litter box in the house. Sera samples were tested at 1:128 dilution for toxoplasma antibodies using indirect fluorescent and hemagglutination techniques. None of the 60 non-contact individuals were seropositive. Of 60 contact subjects, 18.3% were identified as carrying antibodies. Other factors were not significant. Because only one veterinarian was seropositive, we propose that exposure to cats per se does not supply sufficient evidence upon which to expect a risk of toxoplasmosis infection. Direct or indirect association, personal hygiene, duration of exposure and the infectivity of the cats should be considered.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012698:Serologic Tests; D013334:Students; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission; D014730:Veterinary Medicine
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies