Prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in the female population of the County of Split Dalmatia, Croatia

The prevalence of IgG antibodies reactive with Toxoplasma gondii in the fem ale population of the County of Split Dalmatia was investigated by enzyme l inked immunosorbent assay. Of a total of 1109 serum samples collected from female subjects, 423 (38.1%) reacted with T. gondii. The frequency of posit ive sera increased with age. Theoretical incidence of congenital toxoplasmo sis was calculated from the annual increase in cumulative prevalence of ant ibodies between different age groups among the women of childbearing age. T he estimated theoretical incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis was 1.4 per 100 pregnancies of adolescents (16-20 years) and decreased to 0.1% in seron egative pregnant women aged 41-45.