A seroepidemiological survey of toxoplasmosis in Scotland and England

Abstract

The Sabin-Feldman dye test was used to detect the presence of Toxoplasma antibodies in two groups of blood donors in central Scotland, one group from a rural area and one from an urban area, and in patients attending a medical outpatients clinic and females attending an antenatal clinic serving a mixed urban and rural area in the midlands of England. Results obtained from these four groups showed that 7.6, 7.8, 35.7 and 14.9% respectively had antibody titres of 1: greater than or equal to 10. A group of travelling people, defined in the Local Government and Planning (Scotland) Act, 1982, as '...persons of nomadic habit of life, whatever their race or origin...', from Scotland were also surveyed and 28% of this group had antibodies of 1: greater than or equal to 10. Individuals in this latter group were reported to have minimal contact with cats because of their lifestyles. The prevalences of the travelling people were analysed by age group and showed no correlation with age, but other groups did show an increasing prevalence with age. The significance of these results is discussed.