title: Serologic survey of toxoplasmosis in Seoul and Jeju-do, and a brief review of its seroprevalence in Korea.
abstract: Knowledge of the prevalence of human Toxoplasma gondii infection is required in the Republic of Korea. In this study, we surveyed the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and analyzed the risk factors associated with seropositivity among residents in 2 administrative districts; Seoul and the island of Jeju-do, which have contrasting epidemiologic characteristics. Sera and blood collected from 2,150 residents (1,114 in Seoul and 1,036 in Jeju-do) were checked for IgG antibody titers using ELISA and for the T. gondii B1 gene using PCR. In addition, participants completed a questionnaire that solicited information on gender, age, occupation, eating habits, history of contact with animals, and travel abroad. The T. gondii B1 gene was not detected in all residents examined. However, ELISA showed 8.0% (89 of 1,114 sera) positive for IgG antibodies against T. gondii in Seoul and 11.3% (117 of 1,036 sera) in Jeju-do. In both districts, the positive rates were higher in males than in females, and those 40-79 years of age showed higher rates than other ages. In Seoul, residents older than 70 years of age showed the highest positive rate, 14.9%, whereas in Jeju-do the highest prevalence, 15.6%, was in those in their sixties. The higher seropositive rate in Jeju-do than in Seoul may be related to eating habits and occupations. The present results and a review of related literature are indicative of an increased seroprevalence of T. gondii in Korea in recent years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-799, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyemi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Sang-Eun
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Bong-Kwang
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Min-Ki
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Mi Youn
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ho-Woo
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.forename: Jong-Gyun
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Cheong-Ha
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Han-Ik
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Eun-Hee
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Jong-Yil
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Chai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008875:Middle Aged; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D007074:Immunoglobulin G