Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women and cats in Grenada, West Indies.
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.
Asthana
Sumita P
SP
Winward Islands Research and Education Foundation, Grenada, West Indies, St George's University, School of Medicine.
Macpherson
Calum N L
CN
Weiss
Stanley H
SH
Stephens
Richard
R
Denny
Thomas N
TN
Sharma
R N
RN
Dubey
J P
JP
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
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan