title: Seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis in humans: possible transmission routes in Costa Rica.
abstract: A serological survey with immunofluorescence techniques to detect toxoplasma antibodies was done on a sample of 1234 Costa Ricans. The overall prevalence was 76%; it increased from 60% in donors aged 1-4 years to 90% in those over 25 years. No significant difference was found in seropositivity between males (42.8%) and females (57.2%) and between donors from urban and rural (LPI) areas. Consumption of raw meat, especially prepared meat, was significantly correlated with antibody prevalence, but cat contact was not, indicating a possible change in the usual pattern of transmission described for the country. Nevertheless, our data suggest that infectious cat feces play an important role in the transmission of toxoplasmosis.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Arias
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chinchilla
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Reyes
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Linder
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003364:Costa Rica / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission