Soroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis in humans: possible transmission routes in Costa Rica

ABSTRACT

A serological survey with immunofluorescence techniques to detect toxoplasma antibodies was done on a sample of 1234 Costa Ricans. The overall prevalence was 76 percento; it increased from 60 percento in donors aged 1-4 years to 90 percento in those over 25 years. No significant difference was found in seropositivity between males (42.8 percento) and females (57.2 percento) and between donors from urban and rural (LPI) areas. Consumption of raw meat, especially prepared meat, was significantly correlated with antibody prevalence, but cat contact was not, indicating a possible change in the usual pattern of transmission described for the country. Nevertheless, our data suggest that infectious cat feces play an important role in the transmission of toxoplasmosis