title: [Clinical and epidemiological aspects of toxoplasmosis in patients with vision problems].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide disease; it can cause decreased vision or even blindness. The route of transmission in humans may vary according to the habits of the region; probably the ingestion of raw or undercooked meat is the main source of infection.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in an eye clinic, the frequency of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) and risk habits for acquiring the infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult patients consulting in the Retina Department of the Teaching Hospital of the National University of Asuncion, Paraguay between August and September, 2014 were included. Prior informed consent, socio-demographic and epidemiological data related to T. gondii infection were obtained. In addition a blood sample for the determination of anti T. gondii IgG antibodies by the ELISA method was taken and ophthalmologic evaluation for the diagnosis of OT was made.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 80 patients with mean ± SD age of 53 ± 20 years were studied, with slight predominance of women (55%). The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was 84% (67/80) and OT was detected in 8.9% of the 67 seropositive persons. The habit of not washing vegetables with sodium hypochlorite and eat meat from wild animals was related to higher risk of infection in this population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is important to conduct research at the population level to establish the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in our country. Information on prophylactic measures to prevent infection by T. gondii should be given to the population.
authors.forename: Margarita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samudio
authors.forename: M Eugenia
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Acosta
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: Yvalena
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guillén
authors.forename: Gizel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Licitra
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aria
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cibils
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.forename: Dógenes
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cibils
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meza
authors.forename: Belén
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Infanzón
authors.forename: Herminia
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miño de Kaspar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010239:Paraguay / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014126:Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M