SEROEPIDEMIOLOGY OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII INFECTION IN GENERAL POPULATION IN A NORTHERN MEXICAN CITY

There is a lack of information about the seroepidemiology of T. gondii infection in the general population of Durango City, Mexico. Anti Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were sought in 974 inhabitants in Durango City, Mexico with the use of enzyme-linked immunoassays. In total, 59 (6.1%) of 974 participants (mean age 37 +/- 16.1 yr) had IgG anti T. gondii antibodies. Twenty (2.1%) of them also had IgM anti T. gondii antibodies. IgG levels of 13-99, 100-150, and > 150 International Units (IU)/ml were found in 14 (23.7%), 3 (5.1%), and 42 (71.2%) anti-T gondii IgG-positive participants, respectively. Prevalence of infection increased with age (P < 0.05), and was significantly lower in participants born in Durango State than those born in other Mexican states (P < 0.01). Toxoplasma gondii infection was significantly associated with consumption of boar meat (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 3.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.49-6.13), and squirrel meat (adjusted OR = 2.18; 95% Cl: 1.17-4.09). In addition, infection was negatively associated with travel abroad (adjusted OR = 0.42; 95% Cl: 0.23-0.77), and salami consumption (adjusted OR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.32-0.99). This is the first report of seroprevalence and contributing factors for T gondii infection in general population in Durango City, and of an association of the consumption of boar meat with T gondii infection. This study provides a basis for the design of successful preventive measures against T. gondii infection.