title: Studies on the epidemiology of child infections in the Bari area (south Italy). V. Epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infections.
abstract: Sera from 2790 0-15 aged infants and children were titrated for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by indirect immunofluorescent test. Maternal-derived antibodies were found at high rates in the first six months of life (32.9%). The positivity rate declined during the second semester of life (7.5%) and increased again with time (7.8% between 1 and 5 years, 11.2% between 5 and 10 years, 14.4% between 10 and 15 years). No statistically significant differences were found between the sexes. IgM specific antibodies were found at a titre of 1:32 or greater in 41 subjects (1.5%), who also exhibited IgG antibody titres ranging from 1:512 to 1:1024. Our results indicate a remarkable diffusion of toxoplasma infection in our area.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Microbiologia Medica, Facoltà di Medicina, Università di Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Leogrande
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007075:Immunoglobulin M