title: Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women and cats in Grenada, West Indies.
abstract: Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii was studied in 534 pregnant women and 40 domestic cats in Grenada, West Indies. Antibodies (IgG) for T. gondii were sought in human sera by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and in cat sera by using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Antibodies were found in 57 % of pregnant women. Seroprevalence increased with age; 51% of 15- to 19-yr-old women (100 total) had antibodies versus 60% of 20- to 24-yr-old women (127 total). Antibodies to T. gondii (MAT, 1:25 serum dilution) were found in 35% of cats; titers were 1:25 in 7 cats, 1:50 in 4 cats, and 1:500 in 3 cats. Epidemiological data suggested that the ingestion of food or water contaminated with oocysts was an important mode of transmission of T. gondii to women.
authors.affiliation: Winward Islands Research and Education Foundation, Grenada, West Indies, St George's University, School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Sumita P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Asthana
authors.forename: Calum N L
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Macpherson
authors.forename: Stanley H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: Thomas N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Denny
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Dubey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000372:Agglutination Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D002415:Cats; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D019425:Grenada / Q000453:epidemiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan