Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and risk factors associated with seropositivity of pregnant women in Korea

J Parasitol. 2008 Aug;94(4):963-5. doi: 10.1645/GE-1435.1.

Abstract

A total of 351 serum samples was examined for anti-T. gondii antibody titers; 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. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii-antibody titers in pregnant Korean women was relatively low compared to those of Europeans and Americans. A multivariate analysis of risk factors showed that T. gondii infection was positively correlated with eating raw meat, but was not associated with the consumption of unwashed vegetables, drinking untreated water, a history of raising a cat, or blood transfusion. The consumption of raw or undercooked meat may, therefore, be the main route of T. gondii infection in Korea.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood*
  • Cats
  • Diet
  • Dye Dilution Technique
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Korea / epidemiology
  • Latex Fixation Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / epidemiology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Toxoplasma / immunology*
  • Toxoplasmosis / epidemiology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan