Transmission profile of toxoplasmosis to man in some Latin American countries

Abstract

In a first research, a study was carried out of 10 persons by age, from 1 to 75 years, residing in Montevideo, using the Sabin and Feldman test (SF). Stress is laid on the high onset of prevalence, set up at 30% between ages 1 and 5. In a second research the serologic reactiveness of 366 steers hailing from several Uruguayan counties was dealt with, 1:16 titers were found. Toxoplasma was not retrieved when two infection free cats were led with diaphragms or seropositive steers. It was concluded that beef is not routinely significant source of toxoplamic infection. Through a third research SF reactiveness of 70% of 600 pigs from several counties, was determined. Toxoplasma was retrieved through inoculation of mice with mince diaphragm of seropositive pigs. Toxoplasma was also retrieved by leeding two seronegative cats with samples of muscle of reacting pigs. It was concluded that poorly cooked or raw pork is an important source of human toxoplasmic infection in Uruguay. The foregoing conclusions are discussed in the light of investigations carried out in other Latin-American countries. The transmission mechanism of toxoplasmosis in children from ingestion of oocytes shed by cats appears to be widely operative in Montevideo, as well as in other cities of this continent. Beyond Childhood the infection mechanism related to poorly cooked parasite-containing pork, may be assumed.