SEROEPIDEMIOLOGY OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII INFECTION IN A MENNONITE COMMUNITY IN DURANGO STATE, MEXICO

There is a lack of information concerning the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in Mennonites (an ethnic group of Mexican citizens of German descent living in rural communities). The prevalence of anti-T gondii immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM antibodies was examined in 152 Mennonites in Durango State, Mexico, using enzyme-linked immunoassays. In total, 46 (30.3%) of 152 participants (mean age 38.4 +/- 15.5 yr) had IgG T. gondii antibodies; 5 (3.3%) also had IgM T. gondii antibodies. Toxoplasma gondii infection was significantly associated with the presence of cats at home (adjusted OR = 3.93; 95% CI: 1.40-11.05), raising cattle (adjusted OR = 3.88; 95% CI: 1.24-12.11), consumption of pigeon meat (adjusted OR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.36-6.63), and consumption of untreated water (adjusted OR = 2.42; 95% CI: 1.09-5.40). This is the First report of seroprevalence and contributing factors for T. gondii infection in Mennonites and of an association of the consumption of pigeon meat with T gondii infection. Results of this study should be useful in the design of optimal preventive measures against T. gondii infection.