Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health

Original Articles

The Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Teachers of Child-bearing Age in Cheju Island.: Jong Myon Bae, Hyun Jong Yang, Seong Chul Hong; Korean J Prev Med. 2001;34(4):444-446.

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
Toxoplasmosis is a member of the zoonosis group and may cause congenital infection. Antibody positive rates of toxoplasmosis were examined in high school students in Cheju, Korea to facilitate the study aim of examining the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in school teachers of child-bearing age in Cheju Island. METHODS: The study population comprised teachers of child-bearing age in primary, middle and high schools, aged 35 years and younger, who wished to be tested for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies (IgG) by the indirect latex agglutination test (ILA) and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. RESULTS: The overall antibody positive rate was 3.8% in the study subjects (n=314), a rate which showed no significant difference due to birth place, history of bringing up pets, or history of contacting a cat. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in a population of child-bearing teachers in Cheju Island was the same as that previously reported in other parts of Korea.; Summary

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in High School Students in Cheju Province .: Seong Chul Hong, Hyun Jong Yang, Jong Myon Bae, Hyun Sik Choi, Hwan Sik Hwang, Hoon Kyu Oh, Dong Hyun Yun; Korean J Prev Med. 2000;33(3):271-279.

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
To assess the seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis in high school students in Cheju Province, Korea. METHODS: A total of 4,570 high school students from 18 schools in Cheju Province were investigated for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies(IgG) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Risk factors for toxoplasmosis, such as place of residence, type of house, contact with cats and other pets, and rare meat consumption, were examined by questionnaire. RESULTS: The overall antibody positive rate was 5.5% and ranged from 2.6 to 11.5% by school. There was no significant difference between males and females. Statistical analyses of the questionnaire data indicated that the risk factors for seropositivity were: (1) birth place (Cheju/others), (2) place of residence (rural/urban), (3) dietary habits (vegetarian/non vegetarian), (4) eating rare meat, (5) exposure to pets and (6) hepatitis B. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that the prevalence of the anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibody in a population of high school students in Cheju Province was to the previously reported prevalence.; Summary

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