title: Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and associated risk factors among children in Shandong and Jilin provinces, China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Infection by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is generally prevalent in animals and humans worldwide. However, little is known about T. gondii infection among children in China. Thus, the present study was conducted to detect the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and estimate associated risk factors among children in eastern China.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study of 1500 children from three cities (Changchun, Qingdao, Weihai) was conducted between May 2013 and July 2014 to estimate the seroprevalence and potential risk factors associated with acquiring T. gondii infection in children in China. Demographic and blood samples were collected, and anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were measured by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the 1500 children participating in the study was 9.03 years (range 1-18). The overall seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection was 15.13%, of which 13.13% were positive for only anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies, 3.13% were positive for both anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies and 2.00% were IgM positive and IgG negative. Moreover, raising cats at home (OR=1.94, 95% CI=1.288-2.912, P=0.002) and hand washing habits (OR=0.38, 95% CI=0.230-0.635, P<0.001) were estimated to be risk and protective factors associated with Toxoplasma seroprevalence, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study revealed for the first time that children's infection with T. gondii is common in eastern China. The present data indicate a need to implement methods of prevention and control measures against Toxoplasma infection in China.
authors.affiliation: Jilin Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Changchun, Jilin Province 130062, PR China.
authors.forename: Qing-Feng
authors.initials: QF
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.affiliation: First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130000, PR China.
authors.forename: Hai-Long
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: You
authors.affiliation: Affilliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266000, PR China.
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Weihaiwei People's Hospital, Weihai, Shandong Province 264200, PR China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Jilin Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Changchun, Jilin Province 130062, PR China.
authors.forename: Wei-Lin
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Jilin Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Changchun, Jilin Province 130062, PR China. Electronic address: wang-weili@163.com.
authors.forename: Wei-Li
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130118, PR China. Electronic address: messicw@163.com.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China; D002947:Cities; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007074:Immunoglobulin G
keywords: China; Toxoplasma gondii; children; risk factors; seroprevalence