Prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii among urban and rural residents in the Philippines.

A survey of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii was carried out among residents in urban (Metro Manila) and rural (Mindoro and Leyte) areas in the Philippines. A total of 1,173 serum samples were examined for Toxoplasma antibody by an ELISA method. The overall seropositivity was 11.1% (n=904, 12.4% in males, 10.0% in females) in Metro Manila, 61.2% (n=152, 63.3% in males, 53.1% in females) in Mindoro, and 30.1% (n=113, 34.3% in males, 22.5% in females) in Leyte, indicating significantly higher (p<0.001) seropositivities in rural than urban settings. No significant differences in seropositivities were observed between males and females. In each group, seropositivity tended to increase with age of the subjects.

Factors influencing the seasonal abundances of Aedes aegypti in Yangon

During 1984 to 1986 mosquito surveys were conducted in Tamwe Township to determine factors which influence the abundance of Aedes aegypti in rainy season in Yangon. Both the biological and environmental factors were studied. Increase in the hatchability of egg, larval survival rate and the shorten larval life span and increased pupation rates supplemented by rainfall (i.e. continous flooding of the containers stimulate the continuous hatching of eggs which laid on the inside walls of the containers) were observed to be correlated with the increased in population density of Ae.aegypti during the raining season in Yangon.