title: Toxoplasma antibodies and retinochoroiditis in the Marshall Islands and their association with exposure to radioactive fallout.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D011847:Radioactive Fallout