Toxoplasma antibodies and retinochoroiditis in the Marshall Islands and their association with exposure to radioactive fallout.
Nearly universal serologic evidence of Toxoplasma gondii infection was found to have occurred by adulthood in 517 Marshallese tested in 1981-1982. The prevalence and incidence of retinal lesions compatible with toxoplasmosis were 3.9% and 273 cases/year/100,000 seropositive persons, respectively, thus indicating a significant public health problem. Seronegativity was significantly more common in a subgroup of Marshallese that had received 110-190 rads of total-body gamma radiation as a consequence of accidental exposure to radioactive fallout in 1954. Despite this finding there was no evidence of an increase in clinically significant lesions in exposed persons.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002833:Choroiditis / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D008849:Micronesia; D008875:Middle Aged; D011847:Radioactive Fallout / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012173:Retinitis / Q000469:parasitology*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology; D014126:Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies; D011847:Radioactive Fallout