Exposure to farming environments in childhood might predict T. gondii seropositivity in rural subjects. Nevertheless, the strongest predictor for atopy in rural subjects seems to be regular contact with farm animals. Whether T. gondii infection is an intermediate factor in the association between farm contact and atopy needs to be confirmed in larger studies.

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Within the context of the hygiene hypothesis we aimed to study the potential association between farming related risk factors and Toxoplasma gondii (T gondii) seropositivity. Within in a cross-sectional study on allergic diseases in young adults living in a rural environment we analyzed serum samples of 106 cases with specific IgEs against a panel of common aeroallergens and 215 controls for T gondii seropositivity. Living on a farm, regular visits to animal stables in early childhood, as well as consumption of unpasteurized milk at age 6 were significantly associated with T gondii seropositivity in the crude analyses. In the multivariate model, regular contact to animal stables before age 3 was the strongest risk factor for T gondii infection (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 2.1 (1.0-4.1)). T gondii seropositivity and farming related factors seemed to decrease the risk of atopy in an additive matter; i.e., subjects with T gondii seropositivity, regular contact to animal stables and consumption of unpasteurized milk during childhood were least likely to be atopic (0.4 (0.1-1.0); p<0.05). Exposure to farming environments in childhood and T gondii seropositivity might be closely related in rural subjects. S43.5: Lifetime prevalence of atopic diseases in a population-based sample of an elderly population: results of the ESTHER-study

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