COMMUNITY STUDY OF TOXOPLASMA ANTIBODIES IN URBAN AND RURAL SCHOOLCHILDREN AGED 4 TO 18 YEARS

To estimate the prevalence of toxoplasma antibodies in schoolchildren and their association with clinical and environmental data, antibody t itres were measured in 1276 children aged 4 to 18 years attending prim ary and secondary schools. Environmental and clinical data were obtain ed by questionnaire. Altogether 12.8% (163/1276) of children had antib odies to Toxoplasma gondii with no difference between the sexes. Serop revalence was higher in country children (16.6% (50/302)) than town ch ildren (10.2% (75/737)). The proportion testing positive increased wit h age in both town and country children. No association with cat owner ship was found. Toxoplasma seropositivity was associated with a positi ve toxocara titre, having had a bitch whelp in the past two years, and having an unwormed dog at home. Lack of energy or tiredness in the la st 12 months were the only clinical features associated with a positiv e titre.