Prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in the female population of the County of Split Dalmatia, Croatia

The prevalence of IgG antibodies reactive with Toxoplasma gondii in the female population of the County of Split Dalmatia was investigated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Of a total of 1109 serum samples collected from female subjects, 423 (38.1%) reacted with T. gondii. The frequency of positive sera increased with age. Theoretical incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis was calculated from the annual increase in cumulative prevalence of antibodies between different age groups among the women of childbearing age. The estimated theoretical incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis was 1.4 per 100 pregnancies of adolescents (16–20 years) and decreased to 0.1% in seronegative pregnant women aged 41–45.     

Animal exposures and antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in a university population

To determine the risk of toxoplasma infection to individuals exposed to cats in a research institution, we compared the prevalence of toxoplasma antibodies with exposure to cats in university employees. Of 116 employees tested, 42 (36 percent) had toxoplasma antibodies as determined by the indirect fluorescent antibody test. Women and individuals aged 35 years or more had a greater prevalence of antibodies. The antibody prevalence by occupation was 72.1 percent for physicians and those with doctorates, 45.3 percent for animal and veterinary technicians, 33.3 percent for research technicians, 28.2 percent for administrative staff, 25.0 percent for graduate students and fellows, and 13.4 percent for veterinarians. There was no significant positive association between exposure to cats and the prevalence of toxoplasma antibodies. A follow-up of seronegative employees, 6 and 18 months later, revealed no seroconversions indicative of acute toxoplasma infection. We concluded that there was no significant risk of toxoplasma infection in university employees exposed to cats.     

Dietary intake and practices in the Hong Kong Chinese population

OBJECTIVES: To examine dietary intake and practices of the adult Hong Kong Chinese population to provide a basis for future public health recommendations with regard to prevention of certain chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and osteoporosis. PARTICIPANTS: Age and sex stratified random sample of the Hong Kong Chinese population aged 25 to 74 years (500 men, 510 women). METHOD: A food frequency method over a one week period was used for nutrient quantification, and a separate questionnaire was used for assessment of dietary habits. Information was obtained by interview. RESULTS: Men had higher intakes of energy and higher nutrient density of vitamin D, monounsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol, but lower nutrient density of protein, many vitamins, calcium, iron, copper, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. There was an age related decrease in energy intake and other nutrients except for vitamin C, sodium, potassium, and percentage of total calorie from carbohydrate, which all increased with age. Approximately 50% of the population had a cholesterol intake of < or = 300 mg; 60% had a fat intake < or = 30% of total energy; and 85% had a percentage of energy from saturated fats < or = 10%; criteria considered desirable for cardiovascular health. Seventy eight per cent of the population had sodium intake values in the range shown to be associated with the age related rise in blood pressure with age. Mean calcium intake was lower than the FAO/WHO recommendations. The awareness of the value of wholemeal bread and polyunsaturated fat spreads was lower in this population compared with that in Australia. There was a marked difference in types of cooking oil compared with Singaporeans, the latter using more coconut/palm/mixed vegetable oils. CONCLUSION: Although the current intake pattern for cardiovascular health for fat, saturated fatty acid, and cholesterol fall within the recommended range for over 50% of the population, follow up surveys to monitor the pattern would be needed. Decreasing salt consumption, increasing calcium intake, and increasing the awareness of the health value of fibre may all be beneficial in the context of chronic disease prevention.     

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii specific immunoglobulin G antibodies among pregnant women in Norway.

During one year from June 1992 serum IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii among 35,940 pregnant women were measured in a cross-sectional study conducted in Norway. The overall prevalence was 10.9%. The lowest prevalences were detected in the north (6.7%) and in the inland counties (8.2%). A significantly higher prevalence was detected in the southern counties (13.4%) where a mild, coastal climate prevails. Women with foreign names had a higher prevalence (22.6%) than women with Norwegian names (10.0%). The high prevalence among women living in the capital city (Oslo) as compared to other cities and rural areas (13.2% vs. 10.1% and 10.2% respectively), was explained by the higher proportion of foreign women in Oslo. Prevalence significantly increased with age in women over 34 years old. This increase was only detected among women with Norwegian names. An increase in prevalence according to number of children was detected. Women without children had a prevalence of 8.8% while women with three children or more had a prevalence of 14.9%. Multivariate analyses showed that being seropositive was independently associated with county of residence, age, nationality and number of children.     

Prevalence of IgM and IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in blood donors in the Czech Republic

Blood donors (n=663) from the Nový Jiín district, Czech Republic, were examined for the presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. The indirect fluorescent antibody test was used to simultaneously detect IgM and IgG antibodies. Titres 20 were considered positive. The seroprevalence of IgM and IgG antibodies was 2.4% and 32.1%, respectively. Periods, for how long the blood donors were infected, are discussed.     

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii

Proteins of Toxoplasma lysate were separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with subsequent transfer to a nitrocellulose sheet by electrophoretic blotting. The range of protein bands was 6-100 kD. Monoclonal antibodies 1B2, 5B10, 4F6 reacted with antigens of 21 kD, 35 kD and 66 kD. Monoclonal antibodies reacted with major antigens of the RH-tachyzoiten surface and HanR-cysts.     

Prevalence and determinants of the use of traditional Chinese medicine in Hong Kong

We studied 2,822 subjects above 18 years of age in Hong Kong by random telephone interview to assess the role of traditional Chinese medicine in health care. During their most recent illness, 73% consulted Western doctors, 17% self-medicated while 9% consulted herbalists. Age and education were important determinants of their health care choice. The most common reason given for their choice was faith in the practitioners they consulted. When they needed further consultation for the same illness, 42% consulted herbalists, illustrating that herbalists played an important supplementary role when Western medicine failed to provide relief. Compared with previous findings, there appeared to be little decline in the popularity of traditional Chinese medicine in Hong Kong.     

十堰市城区小学生弓形虫感染状况分析

目的了解十堰市城区小学生弓形虫感染状况，为制定防治策略提供科学依据．方法采用酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）方法检测十堰市城区小学生弓形虫IgG抗体，同时问卷调查小学生生活行为习惯。结果共检测城区小学生750名，检出弓形虫IgG抗体阳性78名，阳性率为10．40％；其中男生为10．51％，女生为10．28％，差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）；饲养宠物者阳性率为16．24％，未饲养宠物者为5．26％，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）：个人卫生习惯和行为良好者与不良者之间弓形虫感染率差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论弓形虫感染与家庭饲养宠物及不良卫生习惯有关。     

Prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in the population of the area of Parma (Italy)

Between 1987 and 1991, the prevalence of IgG antibodies toToxoplasma gondii was determined by ELISA in 28,247 serum samples belonging to 19,432 subjects of the area of Parma (Italy). The overall prevalence was 48.5%. The correlation of infection with age, performed on 420 sera, showed a significant increase of positivity until 30–40 approximately years. In consecutive sera obtained from 172 subjects, the IgG and IgM production was analyzed for about 8 months, and four different patterns were delineated which were comprehensive of the wide range of immunological responses toToxoplasma gondii exposure observed. Among pregnant females the prevalence ofanti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies was 48.7%, and 5 cases of seroconversion during the pregnancy were observed (0.27%) from which two cases of congenital toxoplasmosis originated.     

Lesbianism in the Chinese of Hong Kong

Some historical and literary background regarding lesbianism in China is given. The demographic data, family background, and behavioral characteristics of 15 Chinese lesbians are described and compared with a matched group of married women. More lesbians were adopted, reported unhappy childhoods and hostile family atmospheres, had parents who preferred them to be boys, and attended sexually segregated schools. The subjects differ from their Western counterparts in having a closer relationship with their mothers and in the absence of oral sexual practice.     

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies among veterinary college staff and students,Iowa State University.

Serum samples obtained from two groups within the College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, were examined for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. Serum samples from 65 (26.0%) of the 250 persons examined yielded a titer of 1:16 or greater by the indirect fluorescent antibody test. A prevalence of 33.3% was obtained for 108 Veterinary Medical Research Institute (VMRI) personnel. Fof 142 veterinary students, the reactive rate was 20.4%. There was a marked difference of results within the student group--the reactive rate of 31.0% of 58 members of the class of 1975 was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than the 13.1% for 84 members of the class of 1976. Studies on multiple serum samples were carried out on 55 VMRI personnel; 17 showed a change in serologic reactivity but only 5 had titers of 1:64 or greater. No definitive relationships could be determined between the epidemiologic characteristics examined and the presence of T. gondii antibodies. Characteristics examined included age, sex, primary residency, food habits (eating of rare beef and smoked pork products), and extent of animal contact.     

Prevalence and factors associated with social avoidance of recovered SARS patients in the Hong Kong general population

The study investigated the general population's perceived infectivity of asymptomatic and recovered severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients and factors associated with avoidance and discriminatory attitudes, including demographic background, SARS-related perceptions and emotional response to the SARS epidemic. A population-based survey was conducted in Hong Kong during 3 December 2003 through 4 January 2004; 475 Hong Kong Chinese adults participated in the survey. Perceptions of the infectivity and health conditions of recovered SARS patients and avoidance and discrimination towards them were measured. Of the respondents, 75.7% and 16.2%, respectively, believed that SARS could be transmitted via asymptomatic SARS patients and those patients who have recovered from SARS for 18 months; 72.7% of the respondents believed that the health of SARS patients would severely and permanently be damaged; 16.6% showed some tendency of avoiding recovered SARS patients and 35.7% expressed some sort of job-related discriminatory attitudes. Perceived infectivity of asymptomatic and recovered SARS patients, health sequelae and emotional distress from SARS were independently associated with avoidance and discriminatory attitudes. The study showed that misconceptions about the infectivity of asymptomatic and recovered SARS patients were common. Recovered SARS patients may also be facing avoidance and discrimination.     

Nutritional status of the water-soluble vitamins in an active Chinese elderly population in Hong Kong

Dietary intakes of thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic and ascorbic acid, together with the biochemical status of thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine and ascorbic acid, were determined in a cluster sample of 419 healthy active elderly subjects aged 60 years and above living in the community. Nicotinic acid intake per 1000 kcal (4.18 MJ) of food energy showed an age-related decrease in men, while women had higher ascorbic acid intakes than men. Between 38 and 98 per cent of this population have intakes of thiamine, riboflavin and nicotinic acid below the UK RDA values. Intakes of ascorbic acid were below the RDA for 17 per cent of men and 9 per cent of women. The prevalence of biochemical deficiency was 8, 14, 11.5 and 24 per cent for thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine and ascorbic acid respectively. A significant difference in intakes between groups with blood levels within and below the reference range was seen only for riboflavin, suggesting that factors other than low intake may be more important in contributing to low blood levels for thiamine and ascorbic acid. However, inaccuracies in dietary intake estimations may contribute to the poor correlation.