Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection among two mountain aboriginal populations and Southeast Asian laborers in Taiwan.
A seroepidemiological survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection among Atayal and Paiwan mountain aborigines and Southeast Asian laborers in Taiwan was assessed from February 1998 to July 2000 using a latex agglutination test. To determine risk factors for T. gondii infection among Taiwan aborigines, the consumption of raw meat and valley water were given particular attention in a self-administered questionnaire. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 19.4% for Atayal, 26.7% for Paiwan, 42.9% for Indonesian, 14.7% for Thai, and 11.3% for Filipinos. No significant gender difference in seroprevalence was found among Atayals, Paiwans, Indonesians, and Filipinos (P > 0.05). In the Thai group, however, males had a higher seroprevalence than females (P < 0.001). Results of the multiple logistic regression analysis indicate a higher odds ratios (OR) with age in both aboriginal groups. In contrast, the OR was lower among older Indonesians and Thais. Those Atayals and Paiwans with a history of eating raw meat seemed more susceptible to T. gondii infection than those who had never consumed raw meat. Ethnically, a significant difference in seroprevalence was observed between Indonesians and Paiwans, Atayals, Thais, and Filipinos (P < 0.001).
Fan
Chia-Kwung
CK
Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University,Taiwan, Republic of China. tedfan@tmu.edu.tw
Su
Kua-Eyre
KE
Wu
Gin-Hui
GH
Chiou
Hung-Yi
HY
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000208:ethnology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D044469:Racial Groups; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan