Decreased prevalence and age-specific risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies in The Netherlands between 1995/1996 and 2006/2007

• Published in: Epidemiology and infection Vol. 139; no. 4; pp. 530 - 538
• Main Authors: HOFHUIS, A., VAN PELT, W., VAN DUYNHOVEN, Y. T. H. P., NIJHUIS, C. D. M., MOLLEMA, L., VAN DER KLIS, F. R. M., HAVELAAR, A. H., KORTBEEK, L. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Cambridge University Press 01-04-2011
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Age groups; Aged; Antibodies; Antibodies, Protozoan - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; Congenital diseases; Congenital toxoplasmosis; Epidemiology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Immunization; Immunoglobulin G - blood; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infections; Infectious diseases; Male; Meats; Microbiology; Middle Aged; Municipalities; Netherlands - epidemiology; Oocysts; Population; Predisposing factors; Pregnancy; Protozoa; Questionnaires; Regression analysis; Risk Factors; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Serology; Toxoplasma - immunology; Toxoplasma gondii; Toxoplasmosis; Toxoplasmosis - epidemiology; Womens health; Young Adult; Netherlands; Europe; Western Europe; Denmark; Sweden; Protozoa; Apicomplexa; Prevalence; Toxoplasma gondii; Antibody; Risk factor; IgG; Epidemiology; Age
• ISSN: 0950-2688; 1469-4409
• DOI: 10.1017/S0950268810001044

To estimate the change in the seroprevalence and risk factors for toxoplasmosis in The Netherlands, a study was conducted in the general population in 2006/2007, similarly designed as a previous study in 1995/1996. Testing 5541 sera for IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii showed a marked decrease of the overall seroprevalence to 26·0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 24·0–28·0], compared to 40·5% (95% CI 37·5–43·4) in 1995/1996. In women of reproductive age the seroprevalence decreased from 35·2% (95% CI 32·9–38·6) in 1995/1996 to 18·5% (95% CI 16·2–20·7) in 2006/2007, leaving the majority of pregnant women susceptible to primary infection with T. gondii and their babies to congenital toxoplasmosis. In participants aged ≥20 years, Toxoplasma seropositivity was associated with living in the Northwest, living in urban areas, low educational level, consumption of raw pork, keeping a cat, and not having occupational contact with clients or patients. For younger participants, risk factors were keeping sheep or cattle, consumption of raw unwashed vegetables and putting sand in the mouth.