title: Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma infection in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
abstract: A total of 362 apparently healthy Saudis of both sexes living in Riyadh and aged 4-60 years, were investigated for Toxoplasma antibodies using the indirect haemagglutination test (IHT). Eighty one (22.4%) were positive with titres of 1/64 or greater. A significantly higher prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies was correlated with age and association with cats. Economic status showed an apparent, but not significant, negative correlation with antibody prevalence rates. No significant association was found between Toxoplasma infection and sex, consumption of raw or undercooked meat, and urban or rural residence. The results provide an evidence that cats may be the main source of human infection with Toxoplasma in Riyadh.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D002415:Cats; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan