Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and risk factors associated with seropositivity of pre
June 27th, 2008 | by admin |Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and risk factors associated with seropositivity of pregnant women in Korea.
A total of 351 serum samples was examined for anti-T. gondii antibody titers, and the overall seroprevalence was 3.7%. The Sabin-Feldman dye test (DT), latex agglutination test (LAT), and IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (IgG ELISA) indicated seroprevalences of 3.7%, 3.4%, and 4.0%, respectively. Compared with the DT, the sensitivities of the LAT and IgG ELISA were 84.6% and 100.0%, respectively, and the specificities of the LAT and IgG ELISA were both 99.7%. An increase in T. gondii seroprevalence with increasing age was detected, but the difference was not significant. A multivariate analysis of risk factors showed that T. gondii infection was not associated with eating unwashed vegetables, drinking untreated water, a history of raising a cat, or blood transfusion; however, eating raw meat was significantly related with seropositivity. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii antibody titers in pregnant Korean women was relatively low compared to those of Europeans and Americans. The consumption of raw or undercooked meat may be the main route of T. gondii infection in Korea.
Han K, Shin DW, Lee TY, Lee YH.