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The prevalence and epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in Ontario

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

Ian R. Tizard ,
S. S. Chauhan  and
C. H. Lai
Ian R. Tizard
Affiliation:
Toxoplasmosis Diagnosis Laboratory, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
S. S. Chauhan
Affiliation:
Toxoplasmosis Diagnosis Laboratory, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
C. H. Lai
Affiliation:
Toxoplasmosis Diagnosis Laboratory, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
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Summary

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The results of testing 7060 human serum specimens obtained in the Province of Ontario, Canada, were analysed for the presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. Of these samples 38% were serologically positive at a titre of 1/16 or greater. The age-specific rates climbed from 2·7% in infants between 6 months and 1 year of age, to about 50% in individuals aged 25 years or over. Variations in prevalence were noted between different areas within the province and evidence is put forward to show that an inverse relation exists between urban size and toxoplasma prevalence. Seasonal and annual variations were not shown to be significant. On the basis of a very small sample of specimens, cat ownership did not appear to cause a significant increase in the risk of acquiring this infection.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 78 , Issue 2 , April 1977 , pp. 275 - 282
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

References

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