title: Seroprevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii among two rural populations in northern Israel.
abstract: The prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii was measured in two rural populations in northern Israel--Jewish kibbutz members and Arab villagers. The respective prevalences in these two populations were 22.2% and 55.8% (P < 0.001). No correlation was found between the presence of antibodies and sex, occupation, contact with cats, a history of fever and/or lymphadenopathy, eye disease, abortions or delivery of children with congenital malformations. In contrast to Jewish children who were not found to have antibodies in the first decade of life, 20.5% of Arab children tested positive. A gradual increase in the prevalence of antibodies with age was seen in both groups, with the Jews reaching a prevalence of 42.6% at age 60+ and the Arabs reaching 74% at age 40. The difference between the two groups probably stems from different eating habits, namely ingestion of raw meat and unpasteurized milk and milk products.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Unit, Central Emek Hospital, Afula, Israel.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Raz
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Nishri
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mates
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sartani
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hadad
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Reichman
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Miron
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Flatau
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012423:Rural Health; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan