Sero-epidemiological data about toxoplasmosis in the North of Tunisia

Toxoplasma antibodies prevalence was studied in the north of Tunisia where a mild climate prevails. Two groups of individuals were investigated: 857 l iving in rural area and 564 living in urb town. Sera were analysed by ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence. The overall prevalence was 58.4 %. It ros es from 24.5 % at ten years to 52.1 % at 20 years of age. A maximum level, around 70 %, was reached by about 30 years. The risk of acute infection alt er this age seemed low as judging by the proportion of high antibodies tite rs observed in this group (14.2 % before 30 years vs 3.7 % after). A signif icantly higher prevalence was detected in urban residents (67 % vs 52.8 %). In this group, the rate of seroconversion seems the highest between ten an d 20 years ol: age and the majority of women are infected before reaching c hildbearing age. In the rural area, the seropositivity is lower between ten -20 years and many women at childbearing age still suceptible to toxoplasmo sis. The risk of acute infection seems higher in the youngest ones as showe d by the proportion of high antibodies titers observed in the 18-30 age gro up (9.2 %) compared to the one observed after 30 years (1.9 %).