Serologic Survey of Toxoplasmosis in Seoul and Jeju-do, and a Brief Review of Its Seroprevalence in Korea

Abstract

Knowledge of the prevalence of human Toxoplasma gondii infection is required in the Republic of Korea. In this study, we surveyed the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and analyzed the risk factors associated with seropositivity among residents in 2 administrative districts; Seoul and the island of Jeju-do, which have contrasting epidemiologic characteristics. Sera and blood collected from 2,150 residents (1,114 in Seoul and 1,036 in Jeju-do) were checked for IgG antibody titers using ELISA and for the T. gondii B1 gene using PCR. In addition, participants completed a questionnaire that solicited information on gender, age, occupation, eating habits, history of contact with animals, and travel abroad. The T. gondii B1 gene was not detected in all residents examined. However, ELISA showed 8.0% (89 of 1,114 sera) positive for IgG antibodies against T. gondii in Seoul and 11.3% (117 of 1,036 sera) in Jeju-do. In both districts, the positive rates were higher in males than in females, and those 40-79 years of age showed higher rates than other ages. In Seoul, residents older than 70 years of age showed the highest positive rate, 14.9%, whereas in Jeju-do the highest prevalence, 15.6%, was in those in their sixties. The higher seropositive rate in Jeju-do than in Seoul may be related to eating habits and occupations. The present results and a review of related literature are indicative of an increased seroprevalence of T. gondii in Korea in recent years.

Prevalence ofToxoplasma gondiiandToxocara canisamong Patients with Uveitis

“…[2][3][4]20,21 In previous studies it was reported that seroprevalence of apparently healthy people was 8% in urban area and 11.3% in rural area in Korea. 22 Our study result is similar to the previous report.…”

<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> B1 Gene Detection in Feces of Stray Cats around Seoul, Korea and Genotype Analysis of Two Laboratory-Passaged Isolates

“…Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that can infect warm-blooded animals, including humans. Toxoplasmosis is an important clinical disease worldwide and can lead to lymphadenitis, encephalitis, retinochoroiditis, congenital infection, and stillbirth [ 1 ]. T. gondii can cause infection via ingestion of tissue cysts or tachyzoites in raw or undercooked meat of infected animals, or ingestion of oocysts in the water or soil contaminated with feces of infected cats [ 2 ].…”

The 2015 Clinical Guidelines for the Treatment and Prevention of Opportunistic Infections in HIV-Infected Koreans: Guidelines for Opportunistic Infections

“…Toxoplasma encephalitis is less common in HIV-infected Koreans, because the seroprevalence of toxoplasma among Koreans is low compared with that of other countries [ 30 ]. Treatment for toxoplasma encephalitis consists of acute and chronic maintenance phases.…”