Revista Cubana de Medicina Tropical
ISSN 0375-0760
BORGUEZAN, Celso et al. Seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies among members of the Terena ethnic group, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. []. , 66, 1, pp. 48-57. ISSN 0375-0760.
Objective: by means of seroepidemiological interviews, determine the presence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies among the native Terena population, and identify the probable transmission mechanisms of Toxoplasma gondii in that community. Methods: venous blood was collected from 256 asymptomatic community members. The blood serum obtained was frozen to -20 °C until the tests were carried out. Indirect immunofluorescence serology was performed and positive sera were confirmed by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results: of the 256 subjects studied, 67 (26.17 %) had anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies, with titers equal to of greater than 1:16. No positive results were obtained for IgM in the samples analyzed. Conclusions: the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies among members of the Terena ethnic group indicates that this population had a previous contact with the parasite. The risk factor identified as the probable cause of transmission was the presence of cats in households. Seropositivity was highest in the 21-25 age group.
: Toxoplasma gondii; toxoplasmosis; native population.