Prevalence of human toxoplasmosis in san carlos island, venezuela

A survey of 335 individuals, 1-65 years of age (mean ±SD of 20.8 ±15.7), in 6 communities from the San Carlos Island, Western Venezuela, was conducted to study the prevalence of serum antibody to Toxoplasma gondii. The indirect hemagglutination test showed an overall infection rate of 49.8% (167 of 335) that ranged 23-64.8% according to the locality. No association between antibody status and age or risk factors was detected. Higher antibody rates were found in a windward coast community, and lower rates in a rural sector when compared to 3 other localities. Higher geometric mean titers were found in the communities with higher antibody rates. Toxoplasmosis is prevalent and widely spread in the area. Infection by oocysts from cat feces appears to be the predominant mode of transmission and contaminated drinking water seems to play a role in the transmission.