Seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis in humans: possible transmission routes in Costa Rica.

A serological survey with immunofluorescence techniques to detect toxoplasma antibodies was done on a sample of 1234 Costa Ricans. The overall prevalence was 76%; it increased from 60% in donors aged 1-4 years to 90% in those over 25 years. No significant difference was found in seropositivity between males (42.8%) and females (57.2%) and between donors from urban and rural (LPI) areas. Consumption of raw meat, especially prepared meat, was significantly correlated with antibody prevalence, but cat contact was not, indicating a possible change in the usual pattern of transmission described for the country. Nevertheless, our data suggest that infectious cat feces play an important role in the transmission of toxoplasmosis.