Highly endemic, waterborne toxoplasmosis in north Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil.
In Campos dos Goytacazes, northern Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, reports of uveitis consistent with toxoplasmosis led to a survey of the prevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in 1997-1999. The survey population was selected randomly from schools, randomly chosen communities, and an army battalion. Serum samples from 1,436 persons were tested. With results adjusted for age, 84% of the population in the lower socioeconomic group was seropositive, compared with 62% and 23% of the middle and upper socioeconomic groups, respectively (p<0.001). When multivariate analysis was performed, drinking unfiltered water was found to increase the risk of seropositivity for the lower socioeconomic (odds ratio [OR]: 3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3 to 6.9) and middle socioeconomic (OR: 1.7, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.3) populations. We also found a high T. gondii seroprevalence in this Brazilian community. Drinking unfiltered water increased the risk of T. gondii seropositivity, indicating the potential importance of oocyst transmission in water in this region.
Bahia-Oliveira
Lílian Maria Garcia
LM
Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Jones
Jeffrey L
JL
Azevedo-Silva
Juliana
J
Alves
Cristiane C F
CC
Oréfice
Fernando
F
Addiss
David G
DG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014126:Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D014605:Uveitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D014867:Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D014881:Water Supply
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D014867:Water