Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis in the Residents of Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea.
10.3347/kjp.2012.50.3.225
- Author:
Hye Jin AHN
1
;
Pyo Yun CHO
;
Seong Kyu AHN
;
Tong Soo KIM
;
Chom Kyu CHONG
;
Sung Jong HONG
;
Seok Ho CHA
;
Ho Woo NAM
Author Information
1. Department of Parasitology and Catholic Institute of Parasitic Diseases, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Korea. howoo@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Brief Communication ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Toxoplasma gondii;
seroprevalence;
Cheorwon-gun;
ELISA
- MeSH:
Adult;
Age Factors;
Aged;
Aged, 80 and over;
Antibodies, Protozoan/*blood;
Antigens, Protozoan/diagnostic use/isolation & purification;
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay;
Female;
Humans;
Immunoglobulin G/blood;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Republic of Korea/epidemiology;
Seroepidemiologic Studies;
Sex Factors;
Toxoplasma/*immunology;
Toxoplasmosis/*epidemiology
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology
2012;50(3):225-227
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The seroepidemiological status of toxoplasmosis was surveyed among the residents of Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do by means of ELISA using a crude extract antigen of Toxoplasma gondii. The sera of 1,661 adult residents (866 males and 795 females) were collected and checked for IgG antibody titers, which showed 17.0% positive rate (282 sera). The positive rate was significantly different between the sex; 20.6% for males and 13.1% for females (P<0.05). The positive rates were higher in fifties of males (28.7%) and forties of females (20.0%). This positive rate of toxoplasmosis in Cheorwon-gun residents is regarded as the highest among the surveys of different geographical regions of Korea. This high positive rate may due in part to peculiar geographical locality of the surveyed area near the naturally well preserved demilitarized zone (DMZ) or presumably consumption of the pork imported from high endemic nations. Therefore, it is necessary to study further the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in Cheorwon-gun.
