Jpn. J. Infect. Dis., 53 (6), 238-241, 2000

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Epidemiological Report

High Prevalence of Antibody to Toxoplasma gondii among Humans in Surabaya, Indonesia

Eiji Konishi*, Yumi Houki, Kazuyoshi Harano^1**, Retno S. Mibawani², Djoko Marsudi², Soetrisno Alibasah² and Yoes P. Dachlan³

Department of Health Sciences, Kobe University School of Medicine, Tomogaoka 7-10-2, Suma-ku, Kobe 654-0142, Japan, ¹Emergency Medical Care System of Doctor Soetomo Hospital, Japan International Cooperative Agency and ²Emergency Unit, Doctor Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya 60286 and ³Tropical Disease Center, Airlangga University, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia

(Received November 6, 2000. Accepted December 26, 2000)

SUMMARY: Infection with Toxoplasma gondii is of medical importance in relation to a recent increase in cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In the present study, we surveyed antibody to Toxoplasma among 1,761 people in Surabaya, Indonesia. The overall prevalence was 58% with significant differences between males (63%) and females (52%; P < 0.001). Although antibody prevalences at 0-9 years in both genders were less than 10%, those at ages over 10 years were more than 50% in males or more than 40% in females, suggesting an extremely high transmission rate of the parasite to humans in this area. A bimodal pattern in the frequency distribution of Toxoplasma antibody levels suggested a persistent feature of Toxoplasma infection in humans.

*Corresponding author: Tel/Fax: +81-78-796-4594, E-mail: ekon@ams.kobe-u.ac.jp
**Present address: St. Maryﾕs Hospital, Kurume 830-8543, Japan

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