LOW SEROPREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA-GONDII ANTIBODIES IN A TANZANIAN VILLAGE

The prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii was studied in the population of Nyamisati village in Tanzania using the direct agglutination test, indirect immunofluorescence test, and immunosorbent agglutination test. All positive sera were positive by both direct agglutination and indirect immunofluorescence tests and were confirmed by the dye test. The seropositivity was confirmed by immunoblotting showing a distinct 32 kDa band in all the seropositive samples. The seropositivity rate was 4% (19/450) among the subjects of Nyamisati origin and 47% (15/32) among immigrants from other areas of Tanzania. Most of the infections appeared to have occurred between 5 and 15 years of age. The generally low transmission in this mainly Muslim village appeared to be related to sparse consumption of contaminated food and low prevalence of oocysts due to scarcity of felines.