The Korean Journal of Parasitology  2012;50(3):225-227

doi:10.3347/kjp.2012.50.3.225

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis in the Residents of Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea.

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

Affiliations

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Keywords

Toxoplasma gondii; seroprevalence; Cheorwon-gun; ELISA

Country

Republic 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.