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Title: SEROPREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII IN PREGNANT WOMEN AND CATS IN GRENADA, WEST INDIES

Author
item ASTHANA, SUMITA - GRENADA, WEST INDIES
item MACPHERSON, CALUM N. - GRENADA, WEST INDIES
item WEISS, STANLEY - N J MED SCHOOL, NEWARK
item STEPHENS, RICHARD - N J MED SCHOOL, NEWARK
item DENNY, THOMAS - N J MED SCHOOL, NEWARK
item SHARMA, R - GRENADA, WEST INDIES
item Dubey, Jitender

Submitted to: Journal of Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/21/2005
Publication Date: 6/6/2006
Citation: Asthana, S.P., Macpherson, C.L., Weiss, S.H., Stephens, R., Denny, T.N., Sharma, R.N., Dubey, J.P. 2006. Seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women and cats in Grenada, West Indies. Journal of Parasitology. 92:644-645.

Interpretive Summary: Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled parasite of all warm-blooded hosts worldwide. It causes mental retardation and loss of vision in children, and abortion in livestock. Cats are the main reservoir of T. gondii because they are the only hosts that can excrete the resistant stage (oocyst) of the parasite in the feces. Humans become infected by eating undercooked meat from infected animals and food and water contaminated with oocysts.Scientists at the USDA Agricultural Research Service and University in Grenada, West Indies report f prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies in cats and humans from Grenada. The results will be of interest to biologists, parasitologists, and veterinarians.

Technical Abstract: : Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii was studied in 534 pregnant women and 40 domestic cats in Grenada, West Indies. Antibodies (IgG) for T. gondii were sought in human sera by an enzyme linked immunoabsorvent assay (ELISA) and in cat sera by using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Antibodies were found in 57 % of pregnant women. Seroprevalence increased with age; 51% of 15- to 19- yr-old had antibodies versus 60% of 127, 20- to 24- yr-old. Antibodies to T. gondii (MAT, 1:25 serum dilution) were found in 35% of cats; titers were 1:25 in 7 cats, 1:50 in 4 cats, and 1: 500 in 3 cats. Epidemiological data suggested that the ingestion of food or water contaminated with oocysts was an important mode of transmission of T. gondii to women.