The role of pet cats in the seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis.
The occurrence of toxoplasma antibodies was studied in 3 selected groups of humans by means of complement fixation (CF) and indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFAT) techniques. High occurrence of antibodies was observed among the owners of pedigree cats (CF: 55%; IFAT: 67%), which differed significantly from the values of the control material (35% and 33%, respectively). Having a pet in the family did not increase the proportion of reactors among controls. No significant correlation was observed between the antibody occurrence and the period for which a pet had been kept, nor the raw meat consumption of the cats or humans themselves, or the hunting habits of the animals.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D002415:Cats; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000635:transmission; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies