Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-m6dg7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-17T21:31:39.395Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Some observations on the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in Canada

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

Ian R. Tizard ,
Norman A. Fish  and
Joseph P. Quinn
Ian R. Tizard
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
Norman A. Fish
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
Joseph P. Quinn
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Between 1961 and 1974, 11934 samples of serum were tested by the Sabin- Feldman Dye test for the presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii.

Analysis of high-titred sera suggested that a 6-year cycle of high disease prevalence occurred across Canada. In addition, a decline in the percentage of positive reactions occurred each year in the Fall. The suggestion that this decline was due to dry conditions during the summer months was supported by the observation that differences in the prevalence of toxoplasma infection in ten Canadian cities were related to their average summer rainfall. The significance of these observations in relation to the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in this country is discussed. The influence of patient age on the prevalence of infection was also investigated; the results obtained suggested that at least 75% of infants with high antibody titres against T. gondii had obtained these antibodies by placental transfer from their mothers.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 77 , Issue 1 , August 1976 , pp. 11 - 21
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1976

References

Canadian Almanac and Directory for 1974 (1974). Toronto: Copp Clark Publishing Ltd.Google Scholar
Census of Canada (1971). Advance Bulletin – Population by Age Groups. Statistics Canada Census Division.Google Scholar
Couvbeur, J. & Desmonts, G. (1962). Congenital and maternal toxoplasmosis: review of 300 congenital cases. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 26, 519.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Savigny, D. H. (1974). Canadian Public Health Association Meeting, Ottawa.Google Scholar
Elton, C. (1942). Voles, Mice and Lemmings. Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Feldman, H. A. (1968). Toxoplasmosis. New England Journal of Medicine 279, 1370.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Feldman, H. A. & Miller, L. T. (1956). A serological study of Toxoplasmosis prevalence. American Journal of Hygiene 63, 320.Google Scholar
Ffrench, G. E. & Fish, N. A. (1961). A survey of toxoplasmosis in an Ontario community. Journal of the Canadian Medical Association 84, 757.Google Scholar
Frenkel, J. K. (1971). Toxoplasmosis. In Pathology of Protozoal and Helminthic Diseases (ed. Marcial-Rojos, R. A.). Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins.Google Scholar
Fkenkel, J. K. & Dubey, J. P. (1972). Toxoplasmosis and its prevention in cats and man. Journal of Infectious Diseases 126, 664.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hutchison, W. M., Dunachie, J. F., Work, K. & Siim, J. C. (1971). The life cycle of the coccidian parasite Toxoplasma gondii in the domestic cat. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 65, 380.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kean, B. H., Kimball, A. C. & Christenson, W. N. (1969). An epidemic of acute toxoplasmosis. Journal of the American Medical Association 208, 1002.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kimball, A. C, Bauer, M., Sheppard, C. G., Held, J. R. & Shuman, L. M. (1960). Studies on toxoplasmosis. III. Toxoplasma antibodies in obstetrical patients correlated with residence, animal contact and consumption of selected foods. American Journal of Hygiene 71, 93.Google ScholarPubMed
Livestock Market Reviews 1971–1974. Markets Information Section, Livestock Division Production and Marketing Branch, Agriculture Canada.Google Scholar
Nie, N. H., Bent, D. H. & Hull, C. H. (1970). Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. New York: McGraw-Hill.Google Scholar
Ontario Ministry of Aqbiculure and Food (1973). Information for Industry Personnel. University of Guelph, Agricultural Index No. 074.Google Scholar
Robertson, J. S. (1961). Excessive perinatal mortality in a small town associated with evidence of toxoplasmosis. British Medical Journal ii, 91.Google Scholar
Sabin, A. B. & Feldman, H. A. (1948). Dyes as microchemical indicators of new immunity phenomenon affecting a protozoan parasite (toxoplasma). Science, New York 108, 660.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Seah, S. K. K. (1973). Prevalence of toxoplasmosis in a Canadian city. Canadian Journal of Public Health, Monograph Supplement 64, 29.Google Scholar
Seah, S. K. K. (1974). Toxoplasma antibodies in immigrants from Hong Kong. Journal of Hygiene 72, 19.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Walton, B. C, Benchoff, B. M. & Brooks, W. H. (1966). Comparison of the indirect fluorescent antibody test and methylene blue dye test for detection of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. American Journal of Tropical Medicine 15, 149.Google ScholarPubMed